The Mower County Humane Society cleared $15,209 at Sunday’s Pasta Dinner and Silent/Live Auction at the Holiday Inn Grand Ballroom in Austin.

That surpassed the fundraiser’s goal of $15,000 for this year. It is one of three major fundraising efforts mounted through the year, whose proceeds provide operational funds for the shelter. Total cost to operate in 2016 topped $140,000. Over 50 volunteers worked at the society, including shelter volunteers, National Honor Society students and Ellis Middle School Student Council members.

The shelter, said volunteer Anette Mueller, depends on fundraisers, grants and private donations to operate. Last year, there were almost 300 adoptions through the society; 59 percent, or 172, dogs and cats were rescued from the city pound before they were euthanized.