By STEPHEN DAWKINS

Staff Writer

Anyone interested in attending the Shelby Humane Society’s seventh annual Bark & Wine fundraiser who does not already have a ticket needs to act fast.

Only a handful of tickets remain, Humane Society Board Member Julie Gibbs said.

The event will be held from 6-9 p.m. July 23 at Greystone Country Club in Hoover.

Tickets cost $150 per person. RSVP by calling (205) 216-3303 or emailing therena1@aol.com.

The evening includes complimentary beer and wine, a strolling dinner, silent and live auctions and program highlighting the successes of the animal shelter.

The silent auction will begin at 6 p.m.; a “strolling” dinner including a carving station, pasta station and more will begin at 7 p.m.; and the program and live auction will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Edgar’s Bakery is providing desserts.

Auction items will include a tailgate package, Orbix wine glasses, Napa Valley trip, dinner and tickets to see the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, golf packages, Indy Car race passes, a Yeti cooler, Sandestin beach trip, a night on the town sponsored by Diamonds Direct and more.

Granger, Thagard & Associations will manage the auction.

Gibbs said the program will include information about the shelter’s efforts with transporting animals to other areas of the country where they are adopted.

Shelters in states with stricter spay and neuter laws often have a shortage of adoptable animals, and residents of those states adopt from shelters that have higher numbers, such as Shelby.

But the arrangement requires transporting the animals by bus, at a cost of about $1,500 for a two- to three-day trip that relocates several pets.

The bus used will be on-site for event attendees to see.

Gibbs said volunteers often help with the transports, which help find a home for as many as 100 pets each month.

“We have great supporters who help us in a lot of ways,” she said.

Greystone Country Club is located at 4100 Greystone Drive in Birmingham.

“This is our big fundraiser for the year,” Gibbs said. “We always have a great time, and we hope everyone will come out and support us.”

Proceeds from ticket sales and the auctions will benefit Shelby Humane Society, which is an open-admission animal shelter that cares for over 5,000 lost, homeless and unwanted pets each year.