ELKINS — The Randolph County Humane Society is introducing a new Subs for Spays event for their annual Spay and Neuter Awareness Month fundraising campaign.

As part of their annual fundraising efforts for the group’s Spay & Neuter Fund, RCHS is offering to “bring lunch straight to your office” by selling sub lunches to local businesses. Every 50 subs sold will help pay for one spay or neuter procedure at the RCHS shelter.

“We’re reaching out directly to businesses in the area, and asking them to pay for that lunch for their employees,” RCHS Acting VP of Fundraising Brooke Hart told The Inter-Mountain. “Obviously, if that is not an option, asking their employees in their office or their businesses to go in (and buy a sub) on their own.”

If the business is unable to cover lunch for everyone, RCHS officials say that’s “no problem,” as sharing the order form with those in the office is still helpful to the cause.

Businesses can choose for lunches to be delivered on Feb. 26 or 27. Order forms are due Wednesday, Feb. 18. To place an order, email rchswvinfo@gmail.com.

The month of February is nationally recognized as Spay and Neuter Awareness Month. The recognition highlights the “importance of sterilization in reducing pet overpopulation and improving animal welfare.”

“At RCHS, every dog and cat must be spayed or neutered before adoption, as required by state law,” an RCHS statement to The Inter-Mountain reads. “This step is essential to ensuring animals leave the shelter healthy, preventing unintended litters, and breaking the cycle of overpopulation that leads to overcrowded shelters and increased euthanasia risk.”

However, providing these surgeries represents a significant operational cost for the shelter. In 2025, RCHS says it spent more than $60,000 on spay and neuter procedures. With the average surgery reportedly costing approximately $225 per animal, RCHS says expenses add up quickly as their intake numbers remain high.

“We are asking the community to partner with us on this vital work by donating to the Spay & Neuter Fund. Every amount helps,” the RCHS statement reads. “Without access to spay and neuter services, more animals are born without stable homes, shelter populations increase and resources are further strained. RCHS considers spay and neuter services a foundational component of its mission to protect animal health, promote responsible pet ownership and reduce homelessness in the community.”

Funding for RCHS’ spay and neuter procedures also supports preparing shelter animals for adoption, preventing unwanted litters before they enter the shelter system and Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR) programs. TNVR programs are widely recognized as the most humane and effective approach to managing community cat populations.

Donations to the RCHS’ Spay & Neuter Fund can be made by check, by drop off at the shelter or online at bit.ly/rchssnfund.

RCHS also has more upcoming events, including Purrmanent Ink & Jewelry at 3rd Street Tattoo on March 21, March Muttness starting March 14 and an Indoor Yard Sale at the Montrose Community Building and Pavillion on June 13. The yard sale is sponsored and coordinated by the RCHS Dog Walkers.