03:50 PM EST on Tuesday, January 4, 2005

By DAN STARKS / 6NEWS

Almost 15,000 animals are euthanized each year in Mecklenburg County and local musicians are trying to help.

"It breaks my heart to think that we killed, euthanized, over 15.000 animals in Mecklenburg County last year," said Jason Hausman, musician.

Hausman and more than a dozen other area musicians have compiled a CD to raise money for a new campaign aimed at educating pet owners. Finding partners was not a problem.

"I didn't make a phone call that I didn't get a positive reaction,” said Chris Peninger, Animal Control.

In addition to the CD, a concert is planned this weekend with some of the musicians at the Neighborhood Theatre in Charlotte's NODA district. Proceeds will go to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's Animal Control bureau.

"With the money from this concert we'll be able to purchase space on billboards and other forms of media," Peninger said.

Ads will encourage people to spay and neuter their pets and promote kennel adoption.

The cost for Saturday's concert is $10. Everyone attending will get a CD.