Now in its sixth year the event is the main fundraiser for the Whitman County Humane Society. An adoptable pet parade is one of the highlights of the evening, which includes a catered dinner and live and silent auctions.
The dogs and cats come from the society’s Pullman shelter.
“We’re very careful to get dogs that interact well with other dogs, and people, and not get stressed out,” says Jeri Harris of Pullman, co-chairwoman of the ball’s planning committee.
That goes for cats too, says Harris, who adopted her cat at the ball four years ago.
A couple animals are adopted at the ball each year, but the main focus of the evening is to raise money for the society’s shelter. While the organization contracts with Pullman, Albion and Palouse to provide care for homeless dogs found within their city limits, the vast majority of operating funds come from donations. All proceeds from the event support operations at the shelter, a no-kill facility that strives to place animals in adoptive homes.
This year’s theme is 1950s’ rock ‘n’ roll. Costumes are optional but people are invited to dress up in poodle skirts, letterman jackets and other ‘50s regalia. Dinner is a diner buffet catered by Wayback Cafe of Lewiston. The menu reflects the theme with choices including meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, and assorted Jello salads. A vegetarian option is available when ordering tickets.
William Dernell of the Washington State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital is the evening’s guest speaker. Dernell will speak about how the university’s veterinary hospital works with the shelter.
Live music will be provided by Jon and Rand — vocalists Jon Anderson on piano and Rand Walker on guitar. Actors from the Pullman Civic Theatre will be impersonating Elvis Presley and Lucille Ball. One of the featured items in this year’s auction is airfare and a week for two in Cabo San Lucas. What: The sixth annual Fur Ball and Yappy Hour When: 5-9 p.m. Saturday Where: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories Event Center, Pullman Cost: $50 Of Note: Tickets can be purchased online at http://whitmanpets.org/furball/
