Runaways reunite for Humane Society benefit

Good things come to those who wait, and for those of you who have waited for the return of Mike Smith and the Runaways, good things are here — or will be Saturday.

The local group — which formed in the early 1960s, went through a few lineup changes and finally called it quits in 1993 — will once again reunite for the good of all canine kind; feline kind, too.

Mike Smith and the Runaways return Saturday for a benefit concert for the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri. The last time the band took the stage was in 2006 for the same cause.

Anyone who cares for an animal knows the costs add up. The Humane Society takes care of around 5,000 animals a year, so the costs multiply. This dance is a way to offset the price of food, cleaning supplies, medicine and everything else that keeps these animals alive and well, waiting for adoption.

Most charities you just sign a check and forget. At least with this one you pay to play. Mike Smith and the Runaways will provide music for dancing and general merriment from 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday at the Eagles Club in Cape Girardeau.

The band learned its set list practicing in a doctor's office one summer and have only added hits to their repertoire. The five guys play music from the '50s, '60s, '70s and '80s.

The dance will also help with spay and neuter procedures, which as Bob Barker would tell you, you should always "have your pets spayed or neutered."

Our furry friends have felt the economic downturn as well. As homes have gone into foreclosure and people have looked for ways to save money, spending on pets seems to be the bill that gets ignored.

While in normal times the Humane Society takes in anywhere from 50 to 80 new animals a month, the numbers lately have crept upward. Buying food, medicine and supplies — not to mention paying staff and bills — has gotten harder.

Those are just the day to day expenses. The concert will also raise money for a planned expansion of the facility.

The Runaways think it a good enough cause to drag their tails out of retirement to get the Eagles Club up and running for you to shake your tail so the Humane Society can save some tails. OK that was just ridiculous.

Show up, strut your stuff and enjoy this rare appearance by the Runaways.