SHEPHERDSTOWN — Although four years have passed since the last Whiskers and Wags Charitable Auction was held, this year’s fundraiser is expected to draw a large crowd to the Sept. 9 event at the Clarion Hotel.

All of the event proceeds will be divided between benefiting the Briggs Animal Adoption Center and Spay Today, which are both under The National Humane Education Society, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

“We’ve been in the community since 2000, and we provide meaningful program services for animals, that also serve the community,” said Executive Director and NHES President Jim Taylor.

“Approximately 30 percent of our animal population comes from Jefferson County, and our humane holding capacity is for 125 cats and 80 dogs, so over-all about 205 animals,” Taylor said. “At any given time, 30 percent of the animals in our care come from Jefferson County. We assist individuals to get over 4,000 reduced-cost spayings and neuterings in the tristate every year.”

The fundraiser will include a cash bar and buffet dinner at 5 p.m., along with a silent auction and a live auction by Marty Kable, of Kable Auctions in Charles Town. Donations to the auctions are still being accepted, and, according to event organizer and Spay Today co-founder Anne Small, some items that will be auctioned away will include two nights in a resort in Florida, gym memberships, dinner for four at the Press Room, two new gas grills, original art work by Ann Sharp, high-end bottles of wine, a dog/cat cremation, Sunday brunch for four at the Bavarian Inn, an original Tiffany bangle and unlimited tickets for Southwest Airlines, with no restrictions. Animal-related door prizes will also be given out during the event.

Estimating this will be the fifth Whiskers and Wags Charitable Auction, Small said she has been glad to see the community’s support of the event, and is looking forward to an evening surrounded by fellow animal lovers.

“It seems very generous this year. We’ve received a lot of community support,” Small said, mentioning the Clarion Hotel is donating the use of its event space for the evening. “It’ll be a nice, social time, and a time to visit with other animal lovers.”

According to Small, the proceeds will go to both organizations’ general funds, which will allow Briggs Animal Adoption Center to update its veterinary equipment and offer more community education events.

“We do a lot with education, because it’s part of NHES, so a lot of this will go for education, especially educating the children in the area about the importance of responsible pet care and spaying and neutering. The funds will also help with medical equipment, and other maintenance of the shelter,” Small said.

Tickets to the event are $50 each. To donate to the organizations or get a ticket to the event, call 304-724-6558 or 304-582-9199, or email development@nhes.org or annesmall101@comcast.net.