The Watauga Animal Guardian Society
holds their annual fundraiser, “A Buck Can Change Their
Luck,” this week, Nov. 10-14.
Five stations across campus are set up to collect donations
for people who cannot afford the cost of spaying or neutering
their animals. The donation stations will be in and outside
of Plemmons Student Union, as well as the University Post
Office and Duck Pond Field.
WAGS, an Appalachian State University organization, has raised
money for spaying and neutering animals since it began three
years ago. WAGS helps provide these funds in order to help
cut down on the overpopulation of dogs and cats in the county.
WAGS also aids in cutting back on the euthanizing of animals,
a result from the overpopulation.
Monica Middleton, a WAGS member who will be out this week
with dogs and cats at the donation stations, said she wants
people to see these animals and what their dollars are going
towards. Middleton said WAGS tries to hold their fundraiser
once a semester so more animals have a chance to live.
“We are dealing with so many animals and not enough
people are willing to adopt animals because they are so expensive,”
Middleton said.
The Humane Society charges $45 to spay female dogs and cats
and $35 to neuter male dogs and cats.
Donations made do not just subsidize the cost of spaying
and neutering animals.
Middleton said part of the money goes to animals’ first
shots, medicines for deworming and heartworm and to provide
food coupons for adopted animals.
Community businesses such as the Ham Shoppe, Mellow Mushroom,
the Mast General Store and Our Daily Bread have set up collections
bins so that members of the community can donate, Middleton
said.
Middleton said all the animals featured during the week of
the fundraiser are up for adoption. Adoption applications
are available at these donation stations as well as at the
Humane Society. To ensure these animals receive good homes,
Middleton said an interview process would take place.
WAGS member Lane Stakeman said she wishes people knew how
much their money really helped.
She said it’s a priority of WAGS to work hand in hand
with the community to inform the public about spaying and
neutering animals.
Appalachian State University senior Jennifer Rowland has
a spayed dog, Sadie, which she got at the pound.
“People need to raise awareness because it is the animals
that end up suffering,” Rowland said.
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