By Jay Lutz

Mower County Humane Society

Every year, millions of unwanted dogs and cats, including puppies and kittens, are euthanized. The good news is that responsible pet owners can make a difference and the Mower County Humane Society sponsors multiple opportunities for residents to take advantage of reduced cost spay and neuter services for their pets. Throughout February and March the feline spay/neuter clinic held in cooperation with the Austin Vet Clinic treated 193 area cats. This effort will result in reducing the number of unwanted kittens in our area by more than 4,400 just by the end of 2015. Since 2007, this annual MCHS sponsored program has fixed almost 1,400 cats.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, spaying and neutering prevents unwanted litters and reduces many of the behavioral problems associated with the mating instinct. Spaying eliminates heat cycles and generally reduces the unwanted behaviors that may lead to owner frustration. Neutering male dogs and cats reduces the breeding instinct and can have a calming effect, making them less inclined to roam and more content to stay at home. The procedure has no effect on a pet’s intelligence or ability to learn, play, work or hunt. Most pets tend to be better behaved following the surgical procedure, making them more desirable companions.

On Jan. 8 and March 21, MCHS also sponsored visits to our shelter by the Minnesota Spay Neuter Assistance Program (MN SNAP) mobile surgical unit. Approximately 65 animals were spayed or neutered during these two visits. The next visits of the MN SNAP unit are already scheduled for Thursday, May 14, and Thursday, July 9. To register online go to mnsnap.org or call  612-720-8236. Second only to the day-to-day care of the animals at the shelter; we believe spaying and neutering events like these are the most important “proactive” activity that we conduct as a humane society.

Flea market

The Annual Antiques & Flea Market fundraiser sale event will be Friday, Saturday, and Sunday June 5, 6 and 7, at the Mower County Fairgrounds. Drop off new or lightly used donated items for MCHS for the sale will be accepted at the fairgrounds building from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday June 3 and 4. Please Note: Items that are NOT accepted for the sale are furniture, appliances, electronics, encyclopedias, magazines or clothing.

Memorials

We would like to gratefully acknowledge the following memorials we have received in memory of: Jillian Flink, Angella Legler, Irene Scott, Janet Hanson, O.T. Gullickson, Joyce Tiegan, “Sadie & Tommy Cat” Wedeking, “Abbey” Peters, “Irish” Zadow, Martin Franz, Bernice Hallsman, “Wiley” Henry, “Buster “ Raber, Donnie Renchin, “Tripp” Pickering, Nellie Conway, Helen Johnson, Jean White, “Bud” Franz, Lois Lewison, Robert Rohne, Christine Bartley, Bob Johnson, Mary Ann Enright, and Lynn Webber. We would like to thank the family of William Lewis for the generous donation of stock valued at over $10,000.

Receive our quarterly newsletter electronically via email.  Just send an email with “newsletter” in the subject line to mchs.secretary@yahoo.com.