BUCKHANNON — Looking to spread some ‘pawsitivity’ and puppy love this Valentine’s Day?

Well, Animal Outreach Project’s first fundraiser of the year will have you and your friends howling for a home-cooked meal, a chance to win a grand prize and the joy of helping area pets.

On Saturday, Feb. 8, AOP will present a ‘Valentine’s Dinner for Two’ as the local nonprofit continues in its efforts to raise funds for spay and neuter procedures for pets in need. The fundraiser will take place at 5 p.m. at The Way of Holiness Fellowship Hall, where Roxanne Tacy Cook, of Country Time Cooking will prepare a dual pasta meal selection. Cook will be serving grilled chicken alfredo or ziti, both served with a side salad, italian bread, drink and dessert.

Ticket prices are $40 per couple or $25 for a single ticket and can be purchased on AOP’s Facebook page. Couples have the option to both choose to have the same pasta dish or one of each. There are three different tickets for the meal you and your date would like to enjoy that night. Ticketholders will also have their named tossed in a drawing for a grand prize worth over $250.

Ticket sales close Wednesday, Jan. 22.

Each year, AOP hosts fundraisers with the hope to raise funds to help community pet owners who need financial assistance with their pets.

“Fundraisers are quite literally the backbone of Animal Outreach Project; without them we could not continue our efforts in the community,” said Samantha Atchison, vice president of AOP. “The community should rally behind these efforts because our spay-and-neuter assistance helps everyone who needs it. We don’t turn anyone down.”

Atchison stressed that by spaying and neutering more animals in the community, fewer animals find themselves unwanted and possibly in the shelter or left as a stray. Last year, AOP assisted close to 300 animals in the community.

To not overwhelm folks with constant fundraising, Atchison said the upcoming event is the only fundraiser currently planned for the year, which is why it’s so important it is successful.

However, if you can’t make it to the February event, Atchison said folks can always support AOP by simply spreading the organization’s mission.

“We want all pet owners to realize the importance of spay and neuter and to know that we are here to help make it more affordable,” she said. “Other ways the community can help is by sharing and attending our events or simply making a donation.”

To purchase tickets, search for ‘AOP Valentine’s Day Dinner’ on Facebook or click here.