Eileen Beardsley, 2017 Dog Ball Chairman, plays with ‘Coal,’ a young Australian shepherd/hound mix awaiting adoption at Greater Huntsville Humane Society. CONTRIBUTED

HUNTSVILLE – The Greater Huntsville Humane Society will host the 28th annual “Dog Ball” on Feb. 3 at the Von Braun Center.

This year’s event, nicknamed “Bad to the Bone” will start at 5:45 p.m. in the VBC South Hall. Held every February, the Dog Ball serves as the major fundraiser for the humane society.

“People will enjoy attending this event because it gives them an opportunity to see many different breeds of dogs and talk to owners,” ball publicist Sue Morgan said. “We’re also featuring five exceptional, working dogs this year: service dogs, military dogs and more.”

Attending the ball can directly help homeless animals. Guests may decide to adopt a shelter dogs ‘on the red carpet’ or help indirectly in funding many efforts to care for and place adoptable animals, Morgan said.

Event proceeds will further the humane care and treatment of animals and provide adoption services for unwanted and homeless animals. “Dog Ball is the largest dog-related fundraiser in the area,” Morgan said. In addition, a thrift store is open year-round on humane society property.

At the ball, VBC staff will cater the event’s meal with a salad, entree and dessert. The night’s entertainment will be the runway presentation of 50 ‘Very Important Dogs’ (VIDs) to the audience.

Guest also can bid on many silent auction items:

* Talladega weekend package.
* Four-pack of tickets to College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.
* One-night stay at Marriott Shoals Hotel and Spa.
* $500 in gift certificates for Dunagan Yates and Alison Plastic Surgery.
* Gift certificates and baskets for pets and one-week stay at Petz Carlton.
* Restaurant gift certificates.

In addition, a live auction will sell three fire hydrants that local artists have painted.

Dog and owners on the runway will include Ken and Nina, Rhodesian ridgebacks, Mike and Eileen Dalen; Harry, Great Pyrenees mix, Mike and Clare Grisham; Joules, ‘Goldendoodle,’ Anthony and Samantha Brinkley; Fiona, Old English Sheepdog, Fred and Amy Stucky; Kaja, German Shepherd, Ciara Stevens; Zoe and Zack, Biewer terriers, Ron and Hilda Klaassen; Gizmo, Havanese, Sue Morgan; Tennyson, Great Dane, Robert and Tracey Barrett; Jackson, chocolate Labrador, Patrick and Mindy Wilson; and Lucky, Chihuahua/whippet mix, Matt and Kathleen Powers.

The evening will conclude with a drawing for two tickets to the 2018 Westminster Dog Show and a $2,000 VISA card.

For ticket information, visit ghhs.org.