To help fund the care of the animals at the local animal shelter, the Franklin County Humane Society (FCHS) in Union is holding its annual “Wine Whiskers and Wags” auction, hors d’oeuvre and wine tasting fundraising event on Sat., Aug. 28 from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Due to the economy, the fundraiser is critical to the FCHS shelter’s ability to remain open to receive animals from our area.
This year, the event will be hosted at the Washington VFW.  The event chairperson is Lisa Tobben, Washington.
Fine wines will be featured for tasting at the event. Hors d’oeuvres will be served and a silent and live auction will be held with many wonderful items to bid upon, including professional sports tickets, gift baskets, art, restaurant gift certificates, and more.
The shelter is seeking sponsors of the event and additional donations of auction items. All donations are deductible and a tax receipt will be provided.
For information, persons may call Lisa Tobben at (636) 239-6681 or Kathy Breese at (314) 406-2963, or e-mail tobbenlakehouse@charter.net or kathybreese@hotmail.com.
The cost is $30 per person in advance, and $35 at the door. Advance reservations may be made by calling Ron at (636) 583-8646.
Many of the animals received at the Franklin County Humane Society are litters of babies or animals dumped “in the country” from St. Louis and other cities.  These animals need shelter and medical care.
The shelter takes in about 3,000 to 4,000 animals per year—all animals in need— nurtures them and provides medical care and loving homes for over 80 percent of the dogs and for many cats as well. The shelter also actively markets spay and neuter coupons and microchip identification within the community.
FCHS is an independent, privately run animal shelter serving animals and people in Franklin County and 14 surrounding counties, funded only by fees and private donations.  Like many privately run shelters, they receive no municipal tax support or funding from national organizations like HSUS, ASPCA or United Way, nor are they funded by the Humane Society of Missouri in St. Louis.
The shelter is located in Union, MO, about 20 minutes west of West St. Louis County off of I-44.
Check the shelter’s website, www.franklincountyhumanesociety.org, for more information about the event or for available animals. FCHS is currently much in need of donations. Donations may be mailed to FCHS, P.O. Box 400, Union, MO 63084, (636) 583-4300.