PRINCETON, NJ Restaurant Dining Guide Announcement

“Spay-ghetti and No (Meat) Balls Dinner” to Benefit Animal Alliance’s Planned Pethood Spay/Neuter Clinic November 14, 2010

The meatballs have gone missing from a local Italian restaurant -- but instead of sending out a search party, diners will be celebrating their absence.

At Animal Alliance’s “Spay-ghetti and No (Meat) Balls Dinner” – an event whose name is a play on words to urge people to spay and neuter their pets – people will be sharing a meal and supporting a good cause at the same time.  The fundraiser may have a politically incorrect name, but its message is something animal lovers are sure to support.

“Spay-ghetti and No (Meat) Balls is meant to be a fun and tongue-in-cheek way to deliver the crucial, life-saving message of spay-neuter,” says Anne Trinkle, Executive Director of Animal Alliance.  “It’s serious, because almost 40,000 homeless animals were euthanized last year in New Jersey, and nearly 20,000 in the City of Philadelphia lost their lives in shelters because there were not enough homes for them.”

Spay/neuter is supported by Animal Alliance, as well as animal welfare agencies nationwide, as the best, most effective way to end the pet overpopulation problem.  To make sure high-quality, affordable surgery options are available to all pet owners regardless of their ability to pay, Animal Alliance operates the Planned Pethood Clinic in Lambertville, New Jersey. “Planned Pethood makes it affordable for people to do the right thing for their pet,” says Trinkle.  The successful, not-for-profit clinic is the only one of its kind in Mercer and Hunterdon counties.  All proceeds from the “Spay-ghetti and No (Meat) Balls Dinner” will benefit the clinic.

Spay/neuter is best for the health of the pet because it eliminates certain types of cancer and other health problems.  In addition, it reduces unwanted behavior problems that can lead to pets being relinquished to animal shelters.

The event will be held on Sunday, November 14 at DeAnna’s Restaurant at 59 North Franklin Avenue in Lambertville, New Jersey.  Reservations are available anytime from 4 to 7 p.m. by calling DeAnna’s at (609) 397-8957.  The cost is $75 per person, with all proceeds to benefit Animal Alliance’s Planned Pethood Spay/Neuter Clinic; the meal includes a vegetarian pasta dinner with garlic bread, salad and homemade dessert.  There will be a cash bar, raffle and door prizes.

Animal Alliance, a 501(c)3 nonprofit charitable organization, finds euthanasia to be an unacceptable fate for adoptable animals in shelters, who will lose their lives due to pet overpopulation.  Animal Alliance places animals removed from shelters into temporary foster care where they are rehabilitated, spayed/neutered, restored to health, and readied for a speedy adoption.  Through its Planned Pethood Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic, Animal Alliance offers spay/neuter community outreach services to substantially reduce pet overpopulation.  www.animalalliancenj.org