We hope Lunenburg County Animal Control Officer Ray Elliott gets a good Thanksgiving meal before 6 p.m. next Thursday. That’s when he will lock himself into one of the 12 kennels at the county’s animal shelter for 12 hours, until 6 a.m. the next day.

Why in the world would someone do that, especially on Thanksgiving night, away from family?

Elliott’s “Ruff-N-It” event is to help raise both funds for and the awareness of the need to spay and neuter dogs and cats in order to keep down the stray and abandoned animal population. His goal: Raise $1,000 for each of the 12 kennels for a total of $12,000. The money will specifically go toward funding spaying and neutering of animals brought in by those who can’t otherwise afford the normal fee.

This is an extremely worthwhile cause in our view and we hope everyone will chip in.

Ruff-N-It came up during last Thursday’s Lunenburg County Board of Supervisors meeting. County Administrator Tracy Gee mentioned it to supervisors, even suggesting they join in, pointing out there are 11 more kennels available.

During the 12 hours he is in the kennel, Elliott won’t even have any of the things we normally think a shelter dog or cat has: “…no bed, no blanket, no food and no luxuries.” Just the cold, hard floor and, perhaps, some water.

It’s a heck of a sacrifice for one man to make his point, but one we think is worthy of support.