Miranda Pederson/Daily NewsBen Carter towels off 4-month-old boxer-mix Sandy after her bath Tuesday at the Bowling Green-Warren County Humane Society in preparation for Thursday's adoptathon.

When Scooter Davis talks about the benefits of adopting a pet during the Bowling Green-Warren County Human Society Adoptathon on Thursday, he’ll be speaking from experience.

“I have my baby that I adopted,” the on-air personality for WBVR-FM said of his dog, Samantha.

He said Samantha, whom he’s had for three years, is a great companion.

He said that before he adopted his mixed-breed pet, she had been at the Humane Society Animal Shelter longer than most of the other animals, “and probably would have been put down” if he had not adopted her.

Now, he’s hoping he can encourage others to adopt stray animals during the Adoptathon, which will air on Insight Cable Channel 5 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday.

Davis is just one of several local celebrities who will show off 50 to 60 animals that need homes during the Adoptathon. But neither he nor the other celebrities will be the stars of the show.

“The animals are the stars,” said Lorri Hare, director of the humane society.

They’re animals who have been a the shelter awhile and may be euthanized if homes are not found. They’re animals who have great personalities, are affectionate or have had sad pasts.

The celebrities will tell the animals’ stories.

“So many times people will go into the shelters and they will only see what an animal looks like,” Hare said. “If you get a cat or dog that has a really sad story … and people hear that, they get past the fact that well, they’re just a black lab or a tabby cat. It gives them insight into their personality.”

Last year, about 30 animals were adopted through the Adoptathon. That’s a huge jump from the normal adoption rate.

“Some days we may have one, some days we may have five or six” adoptions, Hare said.

But the shelter takes in 20 to 30 animals a day. If the animals haven’t been adopted after a while, they are euthanized.

“Last month, we euthanized 271 animals,” said Hare, who said the process is heartbreaking.

For those who can’t adopt a pet, the Adoptathon will give them a chance to donate money to the humane society’s Adoption Center, which is funded strictly by donations.

Last year, about $14,000 was raised through the Adoptathon. That fell short of the year’s goal of $20,000 and of the previous year’s Adoptathon amount of $18,000.

Hare said she’s been afraid to set a goal for this year.

“This year we’re concerned because a lot of the people have given to the hurricane tragedy,” she said. “We’re just begging to people to dig a little deep.”

And if you can’t afford to donate cash, you can help out in other ways by donating supplies the Adoption Center needs, including bleach, old newspapers and rags, according to Davis.

“Or you can come out and walk pets on some days,” he said. “That keeps the animals acclimated and used to people.”

If you don’t have Insight Cable Channel 5, you can view the Adoptathon at Rafferty’s, Montana Grille, 440 Main, Applebee’s, Toot’s, Mariah’s, O’Charley’s, Outback Steakhouse, Red Lobster, Ruby Tuesday, Santa Fe, Tumbleweed, PizzAroma, Longhorn Steakhouse, Lonestar Steakhouse & Saloon or TGI Friday’s.

Sheryl Morris, production manager at Insight, said the station is looking forward to broadcasting what she thinks is a worthwhile event.

“We’re all pretty involved with it and get excited about it,” she said. “It’s a real joy during the evening to see how people in this community really work together and see the importance of it. That sector of the community kind of gets overlooked, and Lorri and her staff do so much good at the humane society. … It’s a pleasure for us to help with it.”

Morris said Insight General Manager Rick Williams has adopted an animal each of the past three years through the Adoptathon. She’s hoping that Thursday, “people’s hearts just open up” to the needs of the humane society.

“Lorri really depends on the money we raise to keep the shelter open,” Morris said. “We try to get that message across, that the doors will shut if they don’t get this funding. … And we want people to adopt. The animals are so cute. This place is literally a zoo (on show night). At the end of the evening, everyone’s exhausted, but it’s worth it.”

– For more information about local animals that need to be adopted, check out bgwchs.petfinder.com, which shows all the animals available for adoption at the Bowling Green-Warren County Humane Society Adoption Center.