On Tuesday, February 22nd, HATS at CMU set up an information table in the lobby of the Park Library to reach out to the students about the importance of spaying and neutering pets. Pictures were on display of the current adoptable pets at the shelter, along with pamphlets with information and statistics on the cost of having a pet and the need for an increase in the spay and neuter rates.

Students were asked to answer 3 questions: 1.)How many homeless pets are euthanized each year? 2.) How many years would it take 2 cats and all of their offspring to produce 420,000 cats? 3.) True or False:

It is cheaper in the long run to spay or neuter your pet.

The answers were 1.) over 5 million 2.) 7 years 3.) True.

Those that took the time to answer these questions were entered in a drawing for $20 and given a pencil with a fact about pet overpopulation on it. The winner of the drawing was Meganne Howell from CMU. Approximately 125 people participated in the drawing.

A Paws and Claws Dinner will be held Tuesday, April 12 from 4:00-6:30 p.m. at the Rotunda Room in the University Center on the campus of Central Michigan University. The Third Annual Dinner is hosted by HATS of CMU, a student chapter of the Humane Animal Treatment Society. Tickets are $5 for an all you can eat buffet, including vegan foods, donated by local restaurants to benefit companion animals in Isabella County. Tickets may be purchased at the door; for tickets or more information, please contact Nycki at 989 619-6445; hatsofcmu@hotmail.com