NORWICH – On Saturday, April 7 from 4:30 P.M. to 7 p.m. at the Norwich VFW, pet owners and supporters from a 50-mile radius will come to have a delicious meal and bid on over 70 items donated by local businesses and friends. The date this year for the dinner has been changed due to the weather and conflicts with other important events in the area.

Funds received from the dinner will be added to the Krista L. Bartle, "4 Paws Friends Fund", in memory of the Oxford woman who passed away suddenly in 2011 and had a great love for animals. The fund provides assistance to owners of domestic cats and dogs and helps owners defray the cost of spaying and neutering. Monies are also allocated to assist in emergency veterinarian medical care of animals who sustained injuries or unexpectedly have a serious issue. Although AAM helps many low income families, the increase for help has no boundaries. Every request or situation takes time and requires a determination as to how much AAM can help. For the past three years, AAM has worked with Compassionate Care Veterinary in Norwich , Valley Vet in Unadilla and Delaware Valley Humane Society in Sidney to help with emergency medical expenses and spaying and neutering for adoptable pets.