Animals are precious.

Yet some people do not care for their animals. They let them run without leashes over town. They do not have their dogs and cats spayed or neutered, so they wind up with unwanted animals. Some of these people dump the babies on the side of the road for others to pick up and feed.

These facts are the dark side.

Saturday night the Central Alabama Animal Shelter brought together members of the community for an evening of music, food and fun in its annual Paws Ball at the Carl Morgan Convention Center.

Other than the food and fellowship, the shelter took donations in the weeks prior for auction items to raise money for the animals they house and care for.

Some of those animals found homes Saturday night. But there are others waiting for a good home while in a kennel at the shelter.

When it is time to get a pet, don’t forget the animal shelter. Remember the shelter when you want to give a donation or if you have spare blankets and towels. When you’re out at the store, remember the shelter by picking up an extra bag of food for cats or dogs.

More importantly, be a responsible pet owner. Keep your animal inside a pen or the house. Keep your pet on a leash when outside the home or fenced-in area.

Above all, have your pet spayed or neutered.

Animals are precious and it’s our responsibility to ensure as few as possible are left as strays.