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OTTUMWA, IOWA -- The 8th annual Hogs 4 Dogs benefit weekend kicks off Friday, Sept. 9 and concludes Sunday, Sept. 11 with a benefit ride. 

On Friday evening, from 7 to 10 pm, Hogs 4 Dogs USA will be hosting a benefit party at Courtside Bar and Grill in Ottumwa. The party will feature celebrity bartenders, a 50/50 drawing and a silent auction.

On Sunday, they're having a 140 mile benefit ride. Registration is between 9:30 and 10:20 at RJ's Performance near the Ottumwa Airport exit on Highway 163. The ride will take off from there and travel through Knoxville, Chariton, and Albia.

Hogs 4 Dogs USA co-founder Tammie Hartley said they have high hopes for this year's turnout.

"Last year, we raised $10,000 in our auction and our motorcycle ride. We have already heard from so many people saying that they're joining our event that we are seriously hoping to crack the $15,000 mark this year."

She said the event is important because the proceeds will go towards local spay and neutering programs, education initiatives in local schools about the importance of spay and neutering and also, some of the proceeds will be donated to local humane societies.

"We're in a poor community and we have a lot of homeless pets.  The homeless pets come from people not spaying and neutering their animals so our hope is that we can at least slow the progression of unwanted pets."

Hogs for Dogs USA is a non-profit organization that focuses on the health and well being of pets in Southeast Iowa.

For more information, go to their website.