After a successful inaugural event last year, the Fur-Ever Homes Rescue Society (FHRS) will holds its second annual masquerade ball Oct. 19, at the Bearspaw Lifestyle Centre.
The masquerade ball is the charity’s largest fundraiser, according to Natasha Phipps, a board member for FHRS’ fundraising committee. Last year, roughly 60 people attended the first ball, which raised approximately $10,000 for the society.
“Last year was great,” said Phipps, the lead planner for the event this year, as well as a sponsor. “We did reach our target, and we’ve doubled our goal for this year. I think we’ll be able to do that again – we’ve had double the ticket sales this year, so it’s been nice to see that growth.”
The masquerade ball will include plenty of live entertainment, including a stand-up comedy performance from comedian Lori Ferguson-Ford, a circus acrobatics performance from Lindsay-Marie Istace and a magic show.
There will also be a raffle, a silent auction and a DJ.
“It should be a really fun evening,” Phipps said.
FHRS was founded in 2011, according to its website, with the mission of rescuing neglected, abandoned or injured dogs from animal shelters or the street and giving them a second chance at finding a “fur-ever” home.
“Usually, these dogs are placed into high-kill shelters, and have been written off as not having a hope,” Phipps said. “[FHRS] goes into these shelters and tries to find dogs they feel they can rehabilitate and re-home.”
After the dogs are rescued from a shelter, they are placed into foster homes in the Calgary area, according to Phipps, as FHRS does not yet have its own facility.
Depending on each situation, Phipps added, the animal might be adoptable right away, or might first require veterinary care.
“Then, they’re placed on an adoption list,” she said.
All the proceeds from the ball will go towards FHRS, Phipps added.
“As you can imagine, there are a lot of expenses with [the charity], with travel costs, medical costs,” she said. “All the time is 100 per cent donated by the volunteers to make that happen.”
Considering the unconditional love with which dogs treats their owners, Phipps said, FHRS is an important charity.
“All of the volunteers at Fur-Ever Homes are very passionate about giving those dogs the same love they give their human companions, and giving them another chance they probably wouldn’t have at getting that forever-home and that forever-love from a companion,” she said.
Tickets for the masquerade ball can be purchased for $75 per person at bit.ly/2M3OLpI. The ticket comes with two drink tickets and food, as well as the live entertainment.
