Published: October 29, 2008 12:01 pm         

Putnam Humane Society makes fundraising challenge

The Humane Society of Putnam County is issuing a challenge to the Upper Cumberland community to match the $7,350 grant recently received from PetSmart Charities. These monies will assist low income families with spaying or neutering their companion animals. Over the next 12 months $75,000 will be needed to help everyone who qualifies explained Executive Director Linda Clemons. “We would hate to turn anyone away who needs our services but cannot afford even our modest fees; therefore we are calling on our community of supporters to come to our aid to help the neediest among us.”

The clinic recently reached the 4,000 surgery mark with participation from 13 of the surrounding 14 counties. Of those 4000 surgeries, approximately half of them were assisted by HSPC programs and an additional 15% were assisted by Cookeville Putnam County Animal Shelter’s SNAP program, Friends of Animals – Jackson County, or White County Humane Society. The clinic services are available to all residents of the fourteen counties of the Upper Cumberland who qualify. The Humane Society of Putnam County’s goal is to reduce pet overpopulation in the Upper Cumberland by one-third over the next 10 years. To find out more about the clinic’s progress, visit HYPERLINK www.humanesocietyofputnamcounty.org.

"The Humane Society of Putnam County’s spay/neuter program is a great example of taking the initiative to improve the local community," said Susana Della Maddalena, executive director of PetSmart Charities. "Targeted programs like these are the key to successful, low-cost spay/neuter in local communities. Cumulatively, they are making a huge impact on pet overpopulation nationwide."

“We are thrilled to once again be trusted by PetSmart Charities,” said Clemons. “We know they have many more requests than they can fund and we so appreciate the confidence they have shown in us.” If you want to help with this match challenge, please forward your tax-deductible gift to HSPC, P.O. Box 995, Cookeville, TN 38503 and mark the gift as “S/N Challenge.”