Eye Care for Picayune is holding a month-long fundraising event that will benefit the Pearl River County SPCA.

During the month of October, five percent of all purchases of a complete un-discounted pair of glasses will be donated to the local animal shelter. David P. Schwarz, OD, said the idea for the fundraiser came from a similar effort in another state.

As an animal lover, he has taken several rescue animals into his own home, including several cats and dogs.

“We’ve rescued so many and brought some to the shelter with donations, but there’s always more animals than homes,” Schwarz said.

The timing is also intentional. Schwarz said that with so many animals having litters toward the end of summer, the population at the shelter will increase.

There will be no limit to the amount this effort can provide to the shelter, Schwarz said.

A photo contest will also occur during this month. Pet owners are asked to pose their pet with a pair of glasses and send them to Eye Care of Picayune so their staff can post the photos to the business facebook page. Photos can be sent to eyecareforpicayune.contest@gmail.com.

Schwarz said the staff will also post photos of shelter pets posed with glasses to advertise their availability for adoption.

The owner of the pet who gets the most votes will receive a free pair of WileyX sunglasses. Schwarz said the glasses are almost indestructible, have exceptional optics and can accommodate prescription lenses.

Eye Care for Picayune has been in business in the city since 2002 and employs five people full-time. Schwarz said he became and optician due to the memory of the first day he got a pair of glasses. Being nearsighted, he had a hard time seeing signs. At 6-years-old he got his first pair of glasses, and can recall seeing signs from afar.

The business provides full scale primary optometry care, such as vision screening, contacts, care for dry eyes and eye diseases.

The business is located at 3300-A Hwy. 11 North Picayune and staff can be reached by calling 601-798-3164.