Spaghetti soiree supports surgeries

Spay Arkansas hopes to get a boost from the “Spayghetti and No Balls” benefit Oct. 21 at Fred’s Hickory Inn in Bentonville. The casual outdoor dinner offerings will include chicken parmesan, pasta primavera and, of course, spaghetti with all the fixings, including meatballs. Guests can take a twirl dancing to live music from Jon Dooley or bid on silent auction items.

Spay Arkansas offers low- or no-cost spay or neuter surgeries for low income families, rescue organizations and shelters. Microchipping and vaccinations are also available at the clinic, which is staffed by volunteer veterinarians.

Romaine Kobilsek, Spay Arkansas board member, said this is the group’s only fundraiser, and proceeds from the pasta party will go toward the nonprofit organization’s “Fixed for the Holidays” program for families with an income of $20,000 or less in December. Animals often go into heat after the holidays as days get longer. “Fixed for the Holidays” will be two days a week, beginning Nov. 27 and ending Dec. 25.

Veterinarians at the clinic have performed 2,588 surgeries this year, as of Monday, averaging 38 surgeries a day. Since opening in 2011, Kobilsek said vets have performed 27,295 surgeries. She added that Spay Arkansas partners with rescue organizations around the country, transporting 200 strays this year, and distributes 1 ton of pet food from its food pantry each month.

Tickets purchased before Oct. 14 will include a ticket for a beer or glass of wine. Rain date for the event is Nov. 4.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/FLIP PUTTHOFF Angela Johnson with the Rogers city animal shelter gets a dog ready for surgery during a spay and neuter event in 2016, sponsored by Spay Arkansas in Rogers. The “Spayghetti and No Balls” benefit Oct. 14 will help support Spay Arkansas’ “Fixed for the...