SOUTHPORT, N.C. — Not everyone has that special someone for Valentine’s Day.
In fact, some people may not be up to celebrating at all. Others might even have a real pest of an ex that’s ruining the holiday altogether.
That’s why an animal hospital in Brunswick County started a fundraiser to help get rid of those pesky exes this Valentine’s Day.
Some exes are hard to shake, especially around Valentine’s Day, but veterinary assistant Morgan Harris says the River Road Animal Hospital in Southport can help. With its “Stop Bugging Me” fundraiser, closure is possible.
Harris was inspired by the San Antonio Zoo’s successful “Cry Me A Cockroach” fundraiser and thought it could be great to try at River Road too.
“Everybody has an ex that was a bit of a worm,” Harris said. “A bit of a pest.”
For $1, the hospital will name a mealworm after your ex, and for $5, a cockroach. After that, it will feed those bugs to the hospital’s chickens and ducks. As exciting as it may be to finally see an ex turn into the bug that they are, it’s even more exciting for the residents at River Road.
“I mean clearly, the chickens are also onboard with this,” Harris said. “This is their favorite fundraiser yet, they think we should do this more often.”
All proceeds from the fundraiser will go to Paws-Ability, a local nonprofit that assists local rescue groups and provides support for pet owners in need.
“That money will help us to help spay and neuter animals,” said Mary Beth Mount, the vice president of Paws-Ability. “It will help us to assist pet owners who are having difficulty with vet bills during emergencies, serious illness or injuries, it helps us to provide more pet food to local food pantries.”
So far, the hospital has received more than $300 in donations, and lots of those are for Morgans!
“Ironically, my name has earned the most donations,” Harris said. “So I’m waiting to be dethroned, but as of right now, Morgan is the most donated name.”
Although Harris will have to see bugs bearing her name be fed to some vicious chickens, she’s happy to know it’s all for a good cause.
“I just hope more people learn about Paws-Ability, it’s a really amazing resource, one that we have personal experience with, and one that we are very appreciative for,” Harris said. “And just knowing that, you know, sometimes you gotta be spiteful for a good cause.”
All those bugs will be fed to the ducks and chickens at the River Road Animal Hospital on Valentine’s Day.
Hospital staff will be livestreaming the event on their social media as well.