The Animal Mission, a non- profit support group for The Columbia Animal Shelter, prepares for another successful spay- /neuter program.

This incredible outreach initiative is designed to reinforce The Animal Mission's goal of seeing long- term reductions in the number of animals entering our local shelters and ultimately reducing the number of animals that must be euthanized each year.

The Animal Mission is committed to continuing its focus on preventing unwanted litters and is excited to announce the reinstatement of its spay/neuter program beginning March 1, 2008.

The free spay/neuter program vouchers will be included in City of Columbia March water bills being mailed to approximately 120,000 water customers. Additionally, the coupon is distributed through the City Shelter. These vouchers can be redeemed at participating veterinarian offices and the HSPCA.

"In 2006, The Animal Mission purchased over $26,000 worth of spay- /neuter services for Columbia's pets. However, by September 2007 The Mission had invested $159,745 in the spay/neuter program, which funded 3,752 spay/- neuter surgeries," said Jim "Soni" Sonefeld, president of The Animal Mission. "This year, The Animal Mission will pledge $125,000 as an initial commitment to the spay/neuter effort."

The Animal Mission's on- going efforts are made possible by money raised at Party Animals, The Animal Mission's annual fundraiser scheduled for March 14.

In addition to funding the spay/neuter program, proceeds also go directly to the care of the shelter animals and the abandoned farm animals living in the shelter's barnyard.

The Animal Mission continues to encourage cat and dog adoptions from the City's Animal Shelter. The Animal Mission was founded to provide refuge for lost, unwanted, or mistreated pets and animals, to promote pet adoptions at the City of Columbia Animal Shelter, to enhance conditions and outcomes for shelter- bound animals and to educate people on pet issues and humane treatment of animals. 803.776.PETS or www.animalmission. org