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Spayghetti and NO Meatballs raises awareness of pet overpopulation
Pet overpopulation is a nationwide issue. About 3 to 4 million cats and dogs are euthanized every year.
The problem is no different here in central Nebraska. One way to curb those numbers? Spaying and neutering. News 5's Lauren Conley was at one local animal shelter's fundraising event Saturday night. She has the story on Start Over Rover's mission to help stop pet overpopulation. Every animal that comes into Start Over Rover will be spayed or neutered before they find a new home. "We spay and neuter an animal, two animals every single day during the business week," said Amy Michalek, VP Board of Directors at Start Over Rover. The cost? 15 to 20 thousand dollars in a year. It's Start Over Rover's biggest expense. It's a large cost for an organization that relies solely on donations to survive. Saturday night's fundraiser is supporting the cause. Spayghetti and No Meatballs. At $50 to $150 to spay or neuter an animal, this $6 spaghetti meal is just a small part of one operation. "We just really have a problem with pet overpopulation," Michalek said. "We get 4 to 8 calls a day with people wanting to relinquish their pets." "There's too many of them out there that aren't getting cared for and that need good homes," said supporter Rhonda Spiehs. To the volunteers and supporters of Start Over Rover, spaying and neutering is the answer. "If you don't spay and neuter, they're like rabbits," said SOR volunteer Connie Futch. "They keep reproducing and reproducing and reproducing and all the sudden you don't have time for them, you can't afford them" Many of these unwanted pets are abandoned. Start Over Rover provided shelter to nearly 1,600 animals last year. "To me, my pets are like my kids, when they upset me, I don't have time for them, I can't just dump them on the side of the road," Futch added. Over 300 people showed up to tonight's fundraiser. Start Over Rover raised $1,800, all to go towards spaying and neutering. |
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