Tuesday there will be a benefit, “Spay-ghetti & No Balls Lunch,” for the voucher program offered through Mississippi Spay and Neuter.

Mississippi Spay and Neuter brought the Little Fix Rig to Natchez in December 2009 and was here through December 2010. This rig offered low cost spay and neuter to help residents of Natchez and surrounding areas. There were pet owners who traveled from Jonesville, Gilbert, Bude and St. Francisville. We even had several clients trying to help the feral cat population. Many clients were truly thankful for the services provided which enabled them to be responsible pet owners by having their pets fixed. In 13 months, 513 animals were spayed or neutered. Using the simple formula of the United States Humane Society, this means more than 8,000 lives were saved.

Our shelters are full. There are more than 109,000 cats and dogs entering shelters in Mississippi alone. More than 73,000 animals are put to sleep because there aren’t enough homes to save them all. Spaying or neutering your pet is vital in helping with pet overpopulation.

It also helps prevent future medical problems in your pets.

The “Spay-ghetti and No Balls Lunch” fundraiser will provide funding for the Natchez area to be able to continue using the voucher program offered through MS SPAN. The vouchers are like a co-pay and are to help families in need of financial assistance in getting their pets fixed. For more information on the voucher program, please call MS SPAN toll free at 866-901-7729.

The “Spay-ghetti and No Balls Lunch” will be at the Natchez Community Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Suggested donation is $8 per plate and will include spaghetti with marinara, french bread dessert and a Pepsi beverage.

Tickets are being sold in advance, so please call me at 601-442-9586 if you would like to purchase a plate.

We are very thankful for the many volunteers helping put the lunch together and also for each of our sponsors which include Blankenstein’s, Pearl Street Pasta, Al Strickland, Sysco, Slick Rick’s, Natchez Market, Pepsi and Dunleith.

If you are unable to purchase a plate but are interested in helping residents in the Natchez area to spay or neuter their pets, you may send a tax-deductible donation to MS SPAN, 100 Business Center Parkway, Suite B, Pearl, MS 39208. Please note on your check that your donation is for the “Natchez fund.”

We truly appreciate your support

Ginna Holyoak is the local organizer of the Mississippi Spay and Neuter programs.