MN SNAP's first fundraising event was a huge success thanks to our gracious hosts Rick and Britt Gage and the generous donors who saw the value of MN SNAP and its mission.
Mary and James Schwebel, David and Lisa Weigman
Barbara and Skip Gage
Bev Karch, Mike Meshbesher and Mike Karch
Britt Gage began the evening by welcoming guests and introducing MN SNAP and Dr. Kim. Britt created a video that illuminated the crisis companion animals are facing in Minnesota and how Minnesota Spay Neuter Assistance Program is a viable solution to the high death tolls here. The video was described again and again as "powerful and moving." We hope to post it here on our blog in the near future.
Britt Gage's Introduction
During the event MN SNAP's founder and vet, Dr. Kim Culbertson, gave an informative and motivational presentation about the current pet overpopulation problem in Minnesota. She spoke about how animals are being killed every day in Minnesota because there are not enough homes. One way to attack this tragedy is to prevent them from being born. Shelters and rescues are trying to do their part by ensuring that most or all of their animals are sterilized prior to adoption. Many pet owners however, cannot afford spay/neuter surgery, do not have access to a veterinary clinic, or do not understand the consequences of unchecked reproduction by their sexually intact pets. If an unspayed cat goes unaltered, we’re one surgery behind. If she has a litter of 4 kittens, we’re now 5 surgeries behind. Within one year, this mom cat can have 1-2 more litters and her babies can become pregnant as early as 5 months old.
Dr. Kim Culbertson's Presentation
Affordable and accessible spay/neuter services are essential to stopping the flow of puppies and kittens being born into a world that can’t or won't take care of them. Minnesota has not responded in the manner that many other states have; prevention is key.
Dana Andresen, Kayla Schmidt, Carol Schmidt, Shirley Taggart and Frieda Wilson
Kim Mueller, Rona Caldwell and John Mueller
Thank you again to all who came out to learn more about Minnesota Spay Neuter Assistance Program and how we can save the lives of companion animals from unnecessary euthanasia in Minnesota. As we have said before, all of us at MN SNAP and the countless animals they will save, will forever owe our deepest gratitude to them.