Eat, Drink, Meridian: Fundraiser to benefit animal shelters

Published 4:06 am Wednesday, May 20, 2015

    Proceeds from an annual fundraiser Thursday will go to animal rescue shelters in Lauderdale County.

    Eat, Drink, Meridian will host a “Cause for Paws” Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Northeast Conference Center, to benefit East Mississippi Animal Rescue, Almost Home Animal Rescue and Lauderdale County Animal Control.

    “The money we receive from this event will go toward spay/neuter for the animals,” Lauderdale County Animal Control Interim Director Rocky Rockette said. “We will use this money when we have a lapse in time when we are without our grant money. A lot of people take advantage of the low cost spay and neuter program we offer to the animals that are adopted from this facility.”    

    Andrea Harrison, director of Almost Home Animal Rescue, said the funding will help with the bulldogs at the facility.

    “The money raised will help with the daily care and medical expenses that come with each new intake and continuing care of the dogs in our care,” Harrison said. “We take in the dogs that are non-adoptable, be it due to illness or their breed.”

    The cost to attend the event, which is sponsored by Northeast Conference Center, Hilton Garden Inn, and Hampton Inn, is $5 at the door. Attendees must be at least 21 years of age.  

    Eat, Drink, Meridian Local Coordinator Jeremy Campbell said the event will showcase some of Meridian’s finest restaurants.

    “There will be a sampling of cuisine from Weidmann’s, Raising Cane’s, Brickhaus, Bumpers Drive Inn, Waffle House, Cameron’s Deli, Harvest Grill and  McAllister’s to name a few,” Campbell said. “There will also be beer tasting from Mitchell Distributing and Magnolia Beverage.”

    Live entertainment will also be provided.

    Organizers are hoping the community will come out and support the event.

    “Our vet bills run around $2,000 every two weeks and we need beds for the animals too,” East Animal Rescue President Paula Joyner said. “I hope we have a big turnout. Having to divide (the proceeds) between three groups will be tough, so we need a lot of people to show up.”