By BARB BEANEY

Contributing Writer

Our featured pets this week are Smokey and Opie.

Smokey is a handsome gray and white cat that was brought to the humane society as a friendly stray. He’s a young adult with a wonderful personality. Smokey comes to the front of his kennel to meet visitors and likes being petted, but he is not the needy type that demands attention. Since he was a stray, we don’t know his past history, but Smokey certainly seems comfortable inside and it just takes a short visit for him to win your heart. Come meet this attractive fellow and it is likely you will decide to make him part of your family.

Opie is a darling 3-year-old All-American-Mutt. He looks like he could be part St. Bernard and part heeler. Whatever his makeup, he sure is a cute and happy fellow. Opie was an owner surrender. He weighs about 75 pounds, but he is solid and compactly build, not overly tall. We were told that Opie was an inside dog and is housetrained. Opie is very friendly. He loves to run and play and then come back for belly rubs. Opie is ready for a fresh start with a new family and he is sure to be your forever friend if you choose him for adoption.

February is Spay/Neuter Awareness Month. There are several excellent reasons for having your pet spayed or neutered. Altering your cat or dog will help reduce the number of homeless animals, improve health and reduce unruly behaviors in your pet. Altered animals live longer and healthier lives and make better pets. Spayed and neutered animals will not be contributing to the problem of pet overpopulation that we witness every day at the humane society. You can help by always spaying and neutering your pets and educate your children, friends, family members and co-workers about pet overpopulation, adoption and the importance of spaying and neutering.

Low-cost, high-quality spay/neuter surgery is available for pet owners with low and fixed incomes. Call our Happy Paws Clinic today at (859) 691-1137 for an appointment. Please help control pet over-population by having your pet spayed or neutered.