By Sophie Pappas
The Humane Society of Boone County has one goal this year: to break ground on their new land.
For years since the organization’s inception, stray and surrendered dogs and cats have found comfort in foster homes with families in Boone County because there has never been a shelter for them to stay in.
Now, with donated land from Valenti Held (6.2 acres in Lebanon) and funds raised from last year’s Fur Ball (more than $22,000), Humane Society volunteers say it’s almost time to build a real home for their animals. ‘Operation Shelter’ kicked off last year and is still in full swing to help take the burden off of animal foster families.
Vice president of the Humane Society for Boone County and director of fundraising, Susan Austin, said this year the group hopes its Feb. 21 Fur Ball will finish raising the money needed to build on the land.
“It’s still a Mardi Gras theme, like last year,” Austin said of the Fur Ball. “And we hope to ‘raise the woof’ as well as the walls…Actually we already raised enough money for the roof, but we do need more to build.”
So far, more than $350,000 has been raised in an effort to meet the group’s $1.5 million goal for ‘Operation Shelter.’
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for Fur Ball 2015, and a dinner buffet and cash bar open at 6 p.m. Food is provided by Jonathon Byrd’s.
Austin said there will also be a photo booth sponsored by Duke Realty of Anson for partygoers and donators to take pictures in.
“Last year it was a surprise photo booth,” Austin said. “This year everyone knows and we will have masks and items for people to dress up in.”
Tickets are $50 per person or $475 for a table. There will also be an auction, with items such as Paradise Bakery cookies for a year and gift certificates for online guitar lessons.
