Event will raise funds for animal rescue

Animal lovers are invited to support area animal rescue groups by enjoying an evening of Key West music, food and auctions Saturday.

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The PawPrints Foundation, a nonprofit organization aimed at supporting area rescue groups, is holding its third annual Wags to Wishes event, formerly the Paw Prints Arts for Animals fundraiser. The event will be from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday at Taylor BMW, 4180 Washington Road, Evans.

"It is a lot of fun," said Dr. Nancy McNair, PawPrints Foundation co-founder with Kristi Hagood and an event organizer. "It is a great event. A room full of animal lovers -- what could be more fun? And great music."

The event will include heavy hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar, live and silent auctions, raffles for gift baskets, some holiday shopping and Jimmy Buffet-style music from Leo Dean.

"It is very casual," McNair said.

The auctions feature artwork from area artists and others around the country and in the West Indies. Gift items, including Michael Simon dog-themed gift baskets, restaurant gift certificates, vacation stays, animal supplies and gift baskets, also will be available for bidding.

Proceeds from the event go to the foundation, which supports animal-rescue groups and shelters in the Augusta area and neighboring rural counties.

Last year's event benefited the Washington-Wilkes Animal Shelter and the CSRA Humane Society, both of which are no-kill shelters.

McNair said the foundation supports rescue groups and shelters by assisting in animal transports, providing food for fostered animals and helping any group in need.

"Kristi and I just wanted to be able to help all the groups," McNair said. "We felt like no one group has the answer. And all the groups need to work together to try to figure out what we need to do. ... All of them do good work."

Tickets for the event cost $20 each or $30 per pair. They are available at area businesses, including Animal House, Art of Broad, The Broom Closet, Bone-I-Fide Bakery in Aiken, Fetch, Midtown Market, Taylor BMW and Wild Birds Unlimited. Tickets also will be available at the door.

"If people want to donate something for the auction or the event, we'd be glad to accept donations of things or sponsorships," McNair said.

For information or to make a donation, call McNair at (706) 863-2067, Hagood at (706) 294-6200 or visit www.pawprints foundation.org.