Circle of Friends animal shelter to host annual dinner, auction fundraiser

• Time with adopted cat Elliot

Arlette Moen, executive director of Circle of Friends Humane Society, shows Elliot, an adopted cat whose tail froze off during cold weather during a recent winter. Herald file photo by Eric Hylden.

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The Circle of Friends Humane Society is asking Grand Forks residents to “raise their paws” to benefit homeless and unwanted pets at a dinner and auction fundraiser this week.

The 10th annual “Raise Your Paws for Pets” event begins with a social hour at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. Thursday at Touch of Magic in East Grand Forks, 415 Second St. NW.

Executive Director Arlette Moen said it’s the biggest fundraiser of the year for the animal shelter, which accepts all strays and takes in about 2,100 pets of all kinds each year.

“We’re doing it for the benefit of animals,” she said. “It all goes directly to animal care.”

The event includes a cake auction that has local celebrities square off in a friendly competition to see whose culinary creation can take in the most money to benefit the Humane Society.

This year’s competitors include East Grand Forks Mayor Lynn Stauss and Grand Forks Police Chief John Packett, Fire Chief Pete O’Neill and Mayor Mike Brown. And while they’re primarily known for their civic leadership, Moen said the mayors aren’t too bad in the kitchen, either.

“They’re great cake bakers, so it should be a good time auctioning those off,” she said.

A silent auction will run throughout the evening and a live auction will follow the dinner as attendees bid to win tickets to Tim McGraw’s upcoming Alerus Center concert, golf bags, handmade quilts and art donated by local businesses and individuals.

WDAZ-TV’s Terry Dullum will serve as master of ceremonies for the event.

Tickets are available for $50 per person and can be purchased at the Circle of Friends Humane Society, 4375 N. Washington St. For more information or to make reservations for the event, visit www.gfpets.com or call (701)775-3732.

Reach Johnson at (701) 780-1105; (800) 477-6572, ext. 105; or send e-mail to rjohnson@gfherald.com.

Tags: circle of friends humane society, gf and egf, updates, pets, animals, fundraisers, shelters, news