Miss Smithfield teen urges town to prioritize spay/neuter and partnerships to curb pet overpopulation

Carly Ramsey, Miss Smithfield Teen, asked the Town Council to support a community initiative called POP (Pet Overpopulation Prevention) and to coordinate with Johnston County Animal Services, local nonprofits and national partners to reduce shelter intake and euthanasia.

"My community service initiative, known as POP, which stands for pet overpopulation prevention, is rooted in a lifelong commitment to animal welfare," Ramsey said as she introduced herself to council and residents. She described personal fostering and rescue work and urged the town to emphasize programs that keep animals out of shelters, citing county shelter statistics and the need for expanded spay-and-neuter services and community outreach.

Ramsey asked the council to "prioritize this issue, to allocate the necessary resources, and to work collaboratively in our community to create [a] humane and compassionate environment for all animals in our community." She also referenced Best Friends (a national animal-welfare organization), saying Best Friends has resources available and that the group "gave a $100,000 grant to the state" as part of broader support the presenter said is available.

Mayor Andy Moore and staff discussed where to find further information; staff and the mayor agreed to follow up about sharing information on the town website and social media. The presentation did not include a formal request for a specific budget line or ordinance; Ramsey asked for the council and staff to prioritize the subject and to work with county animal services and nonprofits on programs including spay/neuter access and adoption promotion.

Ending note: Council members thanked Ramsey and said staff would follow up on public-information and partnership possibilities; no formal action or appropriation was taken at the meeting.