PAWS Humane Society Fur Ball scheduled for Feb. 9

Online Staff Report

Fur Ball 2013, the fifth annual fund-raiser for the PAWS Humane Society, will be Saturday, Feb. 9, at Giovanni’s Restaurant and Convention Center, 610 N. Bell School Road. The event is a formal to business casual elegant dinner fund-raiser gala that allows PAWS to accomplish the three goals of its mission.

Spend your Valentine’s Day with someone you love — animal lovers! Cocktails begin at 5:30 p.m. with entertainment by the Second City Men’s Chorus followed by dinner. Dancing starts at 9 p.m. with the “Can’t Touch This” band. Other attractions are raffle tickets, chance to win an iPad, live and silent auctions, a caricature artist on hand to draw for you, a photo booth available for that romantic snapshot, and MC host Jayne Johnson Happel (was the former team of JJ and Steve Shannon morning show on WZOK in the mornings).

Tickets are $65 per person or $110 per couple; corporate tables of 10 are available. Reservations are needed by Jan. 31. Order e-ticket reservations at www.PAWSHS.org or call (815) 704-3690 or (815) 299-PAWS for information.

PAWS Humane Society

Founded in 1988, PAWS Humane Society has a mission to promote, support and provide for the humane treatment and welfare of animals in Winnebago County and the surrounding areas. It is a volunteer organization, supported solely by donations. PAWS has three organizational goals:

1. Provide low-cost spay/neuter to reduce pet overpopulation and its resulting cruelty.

2. Assist in finding homes for adoptable animals.

3. Provide humane education materials and programs to the community.

Spay/Neuter Assistance: PAWS works with local veterinarians to provide low-cost spay/neuter assistance to people who might otherwise not be able to afford the procedure. They partner with kindhearted people in the community who rescue animals that have been dumped by previous owners. The program allows these rescuers to be able to spay/neuter the animals they rescue at a reduced cost. In 2012, PAWS funded 2,596 spay/neuters.

Adoption Programs: PAWS has a feline adoption center inside PETCO on East State Street. They also have a network of foster homes that allow them to re-home both cats and dogs. The Cat Adoption Program started in 2005 and handles more than 400 feline adoptions annually. In 2012, PAWS placed 441 felines in their forever homes.

The Dog Adoption Program started in late 2010. In 2012, PAWS placed 108 dogs into their forever homes, many who were pulled from being euthanized at local shelters.

Humane Education: PAWS supports the Kind News program, which is an educational newsletter geared toward educating elementary age children about being kind to animals and our environment. PAWS sponsors 274 classrooms in the area. Their volunteers also serve as a resource to people in the community who want to help homeless dogs and cats. They provide information, guidance and often assist them with finding homes for their rescues.

In 2013, PAWS will continue to stand for all of the above and asks for your continued support in making a greater positive impact in animal welfare.

PAWS Humane Society is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. All donations are tax deductible. If you can’t attend the PAWS Fur Ball but would still like to make a donation, you may send to PAWS Humane Society at P.O. Box 7722, Rockford, IL 61126, or call (815) 299-PAWS or see the website at www.PAWSHS.org.

Posted Jan. 23, 2013