Having your pet spayed or neutered helps keep large numbers of litters and unwanted pets out of shelters but it also lessens the number of animals being euthanized.

It also helps keep them off the streets as homeless strays where they have to fend for food or starve to death. The possibility of them being diseased or attacked or killed by other animals or even humans also is at a greater risk.

Approximately 7.6 million animals enter shelters every year and out of that, approximately 2.7 million animals are euthanized each year. These numbers are heartbreaking and are unnecessary. We are looking to expand the spay and neuter numbers in Newberry County so we can keep unwanted litters out of the shelters and from roaming streets and neighborhoods.

The benefits of spaying and neutering include reducing your pet’s health care costs, reducing their desire to roam, and reducing/eliminating your pet from spraying and marking your home and property. In many cases it also calms the animal.

But the benefits don’t stop there. Health benefits of spaying and neutering include reducing gland tumors, ovarian and uterine cancer, testicular cancer and prostate disease.

Newberry County has done well with offering low cost spay and neuter options to county residents through Newberry Animal Care and Control for $30. For information or to schedule an appointment, call 803-321-2185.

Fido Fixers, which is a mobile unit through the Columbia Humane Society, is offering low cost spay and neuter in Newberry at Ace Hardware (Newberry) and other locations in the state.

For times, locations and to schedule an appointment, call 803-783-1267. Their cost of spaying and neutering is $30 to $80. We are looking to expanding the services further. If you know of someone in need, let them know that services are in place to help.

The Newberry County Humane Society will hold its second annual Spay-getti and No Balls Dinner. All proceeds will help continue to fund and expand for more pets being spayed and neutered for Newberry County residents.

The dinner will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. March 25 at West Electrical on Wilson Road. Plates are $10 each and include spaghetti, bread, salad, and dessert.

For tickets contact any Newberry County Humane Society member, Linda Renwick Realty, Bowers and Floyd Insurance, Park Sterling Bank, Armfield’s Office Supply, Ray’s or Wags and Purrs or send a check to Newberry County Humane Society, P.O. Box 485, Newberry, SC 29108.

Also consider stopping by your local shelter or rescue group and get involved. One can volunteer, donate, sponsor, foster or adopt an animal. Any help is more than welcome. Our local shelter is located at 240 Public Work Drive in Newberry.

We can all make a difference in an animal’s life and they can make a huge difference in and benefit your life too. I can personally attest to that.

The Newberry County Humane Society is a non-profit origination. We meet monthly on the second Monday of each month at Springfield Place in the Chapel at 6 p.m. Visitors are welcome.

Bilger
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By Stephanie Bilger

Guest Columnist

Stephanie Bilger is the treasurer for the Newberry County Humane Society.