Now in its second year, the Bowling Green-Warren County Humane Society 2009 Fur Ball has grown as a way for the society to raise money that will help keep animals safe while it finds them good homes.

The sold-out event will be from 7 p.m. to midnight Saturday.

“There will be a fabulous band and a great dinner buffet with a cheesecake bar, and people talking about their pets,” said Meredith Thessen, co-chair of the event. “It’s just a very warm, fuzzy evening. Last year it was so cold and freezing outside, but everyone had such a great time. People knew it was for a good cause, and everyone gets the fuzzies when talking about their pets.”

Much of the night’s event will be the same as the first Fur Ball last January, such as the buffet-style dinner, music by Louisville-based band The Monarchs and silent and live auctions.

This year’s event is in a new location – the Sloan Convention Center. The 2008 Fur Ball, which was at the Bowling Green Country Club, drew 275 people. Watkins said the event has grown this year and the Sloan Convention Center is a bigger facility allowing 340 to attend.

“During the winter there’s not much happening and we needed a fundraiser,” Thessen said of the original idea behind the Fur Ball. “It looks like this will be an annual thing, if everyone continues to support it. Sometimes people like to get dressed up and go out, and enjoy something festive, something new and different.”

Watkins said while a goal amount was not set this year, they are hoping to raise more than last year – $40,000. The goal had been $15,000. With the sponsorship, ticket sales and the auction items in store, Watkins said she thinks they will surpass last year’s raised funds.

“Its just a great night of entertainment, dining, dancing and a celebration of being able to help our local animal shelter here in Bowling Green,” she said.

Proceeds again will go to benefit the humane society and its Hildreth Adoption Center, which runs completely on donations.

“This is all about raising money for the local animal shelter,” Watkins said. “Supporters coming together for a fun evening out and supporting the shelter. It’s a really great time for a good cause.”

Watkins said there is an “over-abundance” of unwanted animals in the community.

“We are just trying to do what we can to raise funds for the animals and to get public recognition for the shelter,” Thessen said. “We want to get as many adopted and taken care of as we can.”