Silent auction seeks to give shelter animals a voice

WINDSOR HEIGHTS, Iowa — Pet lovers, it’s time to break out your lint rollers: Furry Friends Refuge is hosting its yearly silent auction gala.

The fourth annual Wags ’n Whiskers Silent Auction takes place Friday, Oct. 16, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at Windsor Heights Community Center, 6900 School St.

Attendees will enjoy appetizers and beverages as they bid on such prizes as a week’s stay in a Colorado condo; an hourlong private plane ride; a hot air balloon ride; a painter in their home for the day; and more.

Tickets are only $40 and can be purchased at Furry Friends’ adoption facilities in West Des Moines and Des Moines, at 9 Lives Boutique & Thrift Store, and online.

All proceeds from this casual-yet-elegant event benefit the animals of local no-kill shelter Furry Friends Refuge, a well-established nonprofit humane organization serving a variety of homeless animals in central Iowa.

Over the past two years, this volunteer-based group has strategically built and maintained no-kill communities with a live-release rate of well over 90 percent in West Des Moines, Clive, and Urbandale. On an average day utilizing a minimal budget, Furry Friends Refuge cares for 150 to 250 animals deserving of a forever home. This incredible feat would not be possible without the support of our local communities.