CHENANGO COUNTY – The Chenango County SPCA Spay Neuter Assistance Program raised more than $1,000 in its 5th Annual Fall Mum Sale, a portion of that due to the generosity and commitment of a Norwich fifth-grader.

According to SNAP founder Diane Troxell, 10-year-old Tessa Markham, a student at Perry Browne Intermediate School, purchased $90 worth of mums to support the program.

“She saved money for a year from birthdays and holidays,” said Troxell. “Tessa has been brought up to respect animals. She is an advocate for spaying and neutering all pets.”

Markham and her family adopted their dog, Carly, through the CCSPCA five years ago.

SNAP, founded in May of 2003, strives to solve the problem of dog and cat overpopulation in Chenango County by providing assistance to qualified pet owners to spay and neuter pets.