Poker run to raise support for spay-neuter clinic

Tuesday, November 3, 2009
By Sadie Fowler

Anita Epperson saved Peanut hours before he was to be put down.
(Submitted photo)
[Click to enlarge]

Anita Epperson knows all too well the issues that lie within local animal shelters. She has witnessed them first hand, and is therefore grateful that the Shelbyville-Bedford Spay Neuter Committee is days away from opening its free spay-neuter clinic to those who qualify.

"I want people to know there are a lot of good dogs in shelters," Epperson said. "They just don't get a chance lots of times because they can't keep them very long due to no room or no money."

For at least a year, the committee has been raising funds to open a low-cost clinic for low income people -- and folks in Middle Tennessee who adopt shelter animals. A location has been nailed down and the clinic is expected to be open in early January.

The committee will have its last big fundraising push before the clinic opens Saturday, Nov. 7 with the second annual Poker Run Riding Hawgs for the Dawgs.

Epperson has rescued several animals, but her journey with Peanut is especially touching.

Last March, Epperson received an e-mail from Brenda Goodrich of Bedford County Animal Control asking anyone who could possibly adopt to come by the shelter.

"She said in the e-mail they had some dogs that she couldn't stand to see put down," Epperson said. "I went in the next morning to donate some food and when they brought him out he came right to me. I went out to the car to get this feed and he about jumped over the desk when I left.

"He was just so sweet and on his way to being put down due to space issues and he had been there two to three weeks. I decided I couldn't let him be put down and adopted him."

Now, Epperson says she wouldn't take a million dollars for Peanut.

"I can't believe he was fixing to be put asleep just hours before we got him," she said.

After the adoption took place, Peanut was neutered, received his shots and had surgery to correct some hip problems he developed after getting hit by a car earlier in his life. Even though he was not supposed to be an indoor dog, the Eppersons decided they'd keep him in the house while recovering from the surgery.

"He was supposed to be an outside dog, a companion to our dog Goofy but after his hip surgery he became such a big baby," she said. "He sleeps with us every night. He comes in usually when we get home and goes out when we leave. He loves Goofy and our cats, especially Lucy. They are best friends and play and sleep together."

Goofy is also a rescue dog and the Eppersons have three cats as well -- all strays or adoptees.

"Our animals are a part of our family and my babies," she said.

IF YOU GO

The second annual Poker Run Riding Hawgs for the Dawgs will benefit Middle Tennessee Spay/Neuter Clinic with registration 8 to 9:45 a.m. and bikes leaving the courthouse square at 10 a.m. Saturday. For more information, call BCAC, 205 Lane Parkway, at 685-1130.

Comments

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Thank goodness for Anita and animal angels like her. We are on a road that constantly sees strays being dropped off and left to fend for themselves. Now there is a wild population of coyote/dog crosses that pose a continual threat to livestock. Please have your animals spayed/neutered.

-- Posted by bebop on Tue, Nov 3, 2009, at 11:09 AM

That is wonderful that a free spay-neuter clinic is finally opening in Shelbyville. My only question is if they will help not only dogs but cats as well?

-- Posted by ravensky on Tue, Nov 3, 2009, at 12:09 PM

THANK YOU FOR OPENING YOUR EYES TO THE CARE AND NEED OF UNWANTED ANIMALS. THEY HAVE FEELINGS JUST LIKE WE DO, AND YOU WILL FEEL SUCH A BLESSING KNOWING YOU CARED ENOUGH TO HELP SOMEONE TAKE CARE OF THEM. IF YOU CAN'T CARE AND LOVE AN ANIMAL? YOU SURE WON'T A HUMAN. GOD BLESS

-- Posted by sara1950 on Tue, Nov 3, 2009, at 12:10 PM

If people don't qualify for the services to be free will they be the same cost as taking your pet to a vet?

-- Posted by titanup1 on Tue, Nov 3, 2009, at 2:51 PM

There should be a correction in tomorrows paper it is NOT Free this is a mistake in the article as well as the name of the clinic. It will be low cost for low income and for shelter animals. It is for cats and dogs both. You can contact the Middle Tennessee Spay Neuter Clinic once it opens to find out who qualifies. All shelter adoptions will qualify. It is for all of Middle Tennessee not just Bedford County.

-- Posted by Thatsmystory on Tue, Nov 3, 2009, at 4:42 PM

Just a question. Is this legal? Just wondering from out on the farm.

-- Posted by outonthefarm on Tue, Nov 3, 2009, at 6:58 PM

Yes it is ALL legal.

-- Posted by Thatsmystory on Fri, Nov 6, 2009, at 11:29 AM