OXFORD – Incorporated in 2009, All Animals Matter, Inc., is a completely volunteer driven organization founded by Oxford native Diane Troxell, who is also an owner of Gallery 3-2-1 in Oxford. With the mission of addressing over population of household pets and feral cats at the forefront, All Animals Matter will be hosting its fourth annual Spay-Ghetti dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 22, 2014 at the City of Norwich Fire Department located on East Main Street.
All Animals Matter will be working closely with two other local organizations at the event who share common of helping control the local animal population. Little Mews cat rescue of Oxford and the Chenango SPCA will have information and staff on hand to answer questions about spay/neuter program availability and to assist with the dinner – as well as showing off some beautiful animals seeking loving homes.
Funds received from the dinner will be donated to the Krista L. Bartle fund, in memory of the Oxford woman who passed away suddenly and had a great love of animals. The fund provides assistance to owners of domestic cats and dogs and helps owners defray the cost of spaying and neutering. Monies from the fund are also allocated to assist in emergency veterinarian medical care of animals who have sustained injuries; among them being struck by an automobile or experiencing G.I. Blockages, being among the most common.
“We help the 'working poor,'” said organizer Diane Troxell. “Pet owners that work and sometimes have multiple jobs but who desire to be responsible pet owners are the number one priority for us. Often, these people cannot afford the experience of the procedures – especially the emergency care funding, of which we are the only source in the county.”
According to Troxell, in 2013 All Animals Matter spayed 93 female cats and 45 dogs; along with 63 male cats 28 male dogs. In addition to those procedures, 50 veterinarian medical emergencies were funded for pet owners in Chenango County.
Last year the nonprofit organization received a grant from the ASPCA for $5,000 to fund the feral cats spay and release program. With that grant, All Animals Matter caught, spayed and released more than 50 female feral cats with the help of Dr. Stevi Culverwell, owner of Compassionate Care; who regularly holds “spay-a-thons” at her practice to aid in the effort to thwart the over population.
