The roses, hydrangeas and snowballs are showing their stuff. The yard won a Calhoun County Beautification Award. Want to see it for yourself? Friday, you’re invited to the home of Millie and Braxton Harris (24 Sunset Drive, Anniston) for the third annual “Cupcakes for Critters,” a fundraiser for Saving Animals Volunteer Effort, or SAVE.

Guests are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch, enjoy a beverage and a cupcake for dessert, then tour the garden. A donation of $5 is suggested, although more would be most appreciated.

SAVE board members — Millie Harris, Margaret Hatley, Leigh Caputo, Sylvia Galeano, Janie Arnold, Susan Cook, Melinda Farrell, Lu Moseley, Janie Arnold, Donna Fathke and Cathy Gowdy — work hard year-round to raise money to provide low-cost spay and neuter for the pets of Calhoun County.

It’s no secret that we have a huge problem in Calhoun County and Alabama, where 140,000 unwanted cats and dogs were put down last year. This doesn’t include the many that were killed on the highways, starved to death or died of disease.

In a few cases, a savior comes along, but most times, that is not the case.

The cost of animal control, housing and euthanasia is huge. Rescue groups struggle to find homes for unwanted pets, but can’t save them all.

Spaying and neutering pets can cut down the number of unwanted animals that wind up in shelters.

There are four non-profit, low-cost spay neuter clinics in operation in Alabama. Other programs exist that use for-profit vets.

SAVE works with the Alabama Spay Neuter Clinic to help low-income families who cannot afford even the low-cost fee to fix their pets.

Since 2009, SAVE has funded close to 600 surgeries. Every penny they raise is used for spay and neuter; there are no administrative costs.

What can you do to help?

• Attend “Cupcakes for Critters.”

• If you know of repeat offenders who continue to allow their pets to reproduce, refer them to SAVE.

• Consider adopting a pet (rather than shopping, which encourages breeding).

• Volunteer at a local shelter, such as The Animal Shelter, The League for Animal Welfare or Calhoun County Animal Control Center.

• Donate to or volunteer for SAVE (www.alsave.org).

• Spread the word about spaying and neutering to everyone you know.

“Cupcakes for Critters” is 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday. In the event of rain, it will take place at the same time on Saturday.

Come out and enjoy the beautiful garden, delicious cupcakes and meet a shelter dog — very well-behaved and available for adoption.

To share your news with Small Talk, contact Annette Maddox at starsmalltalk@yahoo.com.

Save the Date

School is almost out for summer! Terrific Kid Tuesday is almost here! Join the action at Quintard Mall every Tuesday in June and July, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Kids can enjoy free activities including a jump in the moon bounce, face painting and a live animal show from the Anniston Museum of Natural History. Plus, receive free coupons from participating stores at Quintard Mall.