Animal rescue group awarded deserving grant

Matchbox Twenty frontman Rob Thomas likely gained a few more fans in Southeast Missouri recently, and it wasn't because of any local performance.

The Sidewalk Angels Foundation, which was founded by Thomas and his wife, Marisol Thomas, recently awarded the Bollinger County Stray Project with a $20,000 grant. According to the Sidewalk Angels Foundation website, the foundation was created to provide "critically needed funds and support to grassroots groups across the country that work diligently in animal rescue and advocacy."

The BCSP, a not-for-profit animal rescue near Zalma, fit that bill. The stray rescue organization, run largely out of Marilyn Neville's home, adopts out about 250 dogs each year, with adoption fees and donations keeping the project running, according to a Southeast Missourian article.

And while that's an important part of the organization, that's not all it does. The BCSP also tries to educate on the importance of controlling dog and cat populations through spaying and neutering.

This is the third grant that the BCSP has received from SWAF to provide spay and neuter assistance. It took until the second year for the spay and neuter assistance program to really take off, but take off it did.

"And I'm expecting this $20,000 to run out before we can get another grant, because it's become so popular," Neville said.

If you're interested in having your pet spay or neutered, but need assistance, we encourage you to contact the Bollinger County Stray Project.