Benefit dinner to offset cost of spaying, neutering
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News from the Mission Valley Animal Shelter
POLSON — The Mission Valley Animal Shelter is hosting a benefit to raise funds for its Community Spay/Neuter Program on Thursday, Aug. 13, at the Elks Lodge, the facility host, in Polson from 5-8 pm. Sponsors for the event are Anderson Radio Broadcasting, Country Pasta and Super 1 Foods.
The Spay-Ghetti and No Meat Balls benefit kicks off at 5 p.m. with a social hour and bidding on silent auction items. Dinner is at 6 p.m. and winners of the silent auction items will be announced at 8 p.m. “This is not a vegetarian dinner, in spite of the title,” explained Sharon Hawke, shelter vice president. “People have asked, ‘Why no meat?’ We have to explain that there are just no meat balls, in keeping with the theme of the spay/neuter benefit. There will in fact be a meat sauce with your spaghetti,” Hawke said with a laugh. The dinner includes a free beer or glass of house wine.
“MVAS expects to provide in excess of $35,000 during 2015 to assist with the spay/neuter of dogs and cats in our community,” reported Hawke. “During 2014, we helped approximately 500 pet owners with spay/neuter assistance, thereby preventing thousands of animals from being born and euthanized because of pet overpopulation and lack of sufficient homes,” she explained.
Hawke said the animal shelter has seen a dramatic increase in requests for spay/neuter assistance this year.
“Our funds are limited and we did not anticipate the significant demand, so we need to raise some money in order that we can continue to help people in our community who are trying to be responsible pet owners,” Hawke added.
The shelter’s community assistance program requires a moderate co-pay for the spay/neuter of a companion dog or cat and the shelter pays the veterinary bill.
Statistics distributed by animal welfare organizations show that by spaying and neutering just one male and one female dog, more than 2,000 unwanted dogs can be prevented in just four years — and more than 67,000 in six years. By spaying and neutering one male and one female cat, more than 2,000 unwanted cats can be prevented in just four years — and more than two million in eight years.
“There are just not enough homes for all of these dogs and cats and to end the tragedy of pet overpopulation, which is part of the animal shelter’s mission, we urge all pet owners to spay and neuter their dogs and cats,” Hawke said. “We see too many unwanted litters surrendered each year and there is a solution and we are there to help.”
Tickets for the event are $15 per person, or 2 for $25, and $8 for children 10 and under. Tickets are available in Polson at the Mission Valley Animal Shelter on North Reservoir Road, Seconds 2 Go Thrift & Gifts next to McDonald’s, the Elks Lodge and Crow’s Nest Gallery, and in Ronan at the Valley Journal and Farmers Insurance. Tickets may also be available at the door, subject to availability.
Mission Valley Animal Shelter is a privately-funded animal shelter for dogs and cats. It has been in continuous operation since 1992. Its annual budget is approximately $280,000, all of which must be raised through donations, fundraising events and operations, since it receives no governmental funding of any kind. MVAS also operates a thrift store, Seconds 2 Go, in Polson to provide funds for its animal shelter operations. For more information, visit the Shelter’s Facebook page at Mission Valley Animal Shelter.
