By Jay Lutz

Mower County Humane Society

On Sunday, Sept. 13, the Mower County Humane Society held its 19th annual Walk for the Animals fundraiser.

This year’s event returned to Horace Austin Park and the Mill Pond trail. The weather was fantastic and so was the turnout. Some 45 participants turned in pledge sheets resulting in net proceeds of more than $10,600.

As always a big thank you to all the supporters who came out to make the event a big success. Top fundraisers this year for adults were Barb Lewis, Jo Verzani and Sue Huebner. The top youth fundraiser was Maggie Davis. A special thank you to all the local businesses that helped sponsor the event this year including Rent N Save, Old 218, Papa Murphy’s, Cinemagic Theatre and the Austin Bruins.

Please support these local businesses who do so much to generously support our community. MCHS will be partnering with the Austin Bruins hockey team for two different events coming up in October. From 2 to 4 p.m. on Oct. 11 during the regular open house at the shelter, there will be a meet and greet with the Austin Bruins.

Fans can come and meet the Bruins players and their mascot, Bruiser, and pre-purchase tickets to the Bruins’ game that Friday Oct. 16 against the Minot Minitauros.

Then Friday it will be Humane Society Night at the game. MCHS volunteers will be in the lobby at Riverside Arena where fans can visit and drop off items from our wish list. Wish list items include bleach, dish soap, paper towels, 40 gallon garbage bags, “HE” laundry detergent, vinegar, IAMS Lamb Meal & Rice dry dog food, and IAMS dry cat food.

 Spay and neuter clinic

The Humane Society will again be hosting the Minnesota Spay Neuter Assistance Program (MNSNAP) mobile surgical unit at the shelter on Nov. 12. For reduced cost spaying and neutering procedures as well as vaccinations and microchipping, contact MNSNAP directly at mnsnap.org or 612-720-8236 to register and set up an appointment time.

 Volunteer to help our furry friends

It continues to be a difficult year at the shelter as we are far over capacity on the number of animals in residence and struggling to have enough volunteers to keep up with their day-to-day care.

If you are interested in a rewarding volunteer opportunity and would like to help, please contact the shelter at 507-437-9262 or visit us at open house on Tuesdays from 4:30 to 6 p.m. or Sundays from 2 to 4 p.m.

Also, to help with the crowding, we are offering a special on cat adoptions. While the normal fee is $50, you can adopt a second cat (highly recommended) and the fee for both is still just $50. So please consider opening your heart and your home to one of our great animals.

Memorials

We would like to gratefully acknowledge the following memorials we have received in memory of: Carol Foster, Val Pitzen, Ann Pickering, Tripp Pickering, “Mandy” Luschen, Hilda Voge, Glenn Natz, Dr. R. Harned Isele, Richard Mellin and Verlet Florland.