The Animal Welfare Society of Jefferson County invited all ghouls, ghosts, goblins and other costumed or plain-clothes guests to its annual Paws and Claws Howl-o-ween Dinner and Auction at the Skyline Ballroom at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races on Oct. 26. Over 200 supporters enjoyed a delicious buffet and placed bids on 120 silent auction items and 12 live auction items. Auctioneer Bob Mills, encouraged competition for live auction items to make the bidding exciting.

The auction was a success thanks to area businesses and other animal lovers who contributed a variety of great silent auction items. Sponsors for the evening were McKinney’s Auto Repair and Towing, Charles Town; Bank of Charles Town, Charles Town; Larry Dean and Mina Goodrich and Ann and Tom Trumble. This year’s event raised over $16,000 to benefit the general operating funds to help all the homeless pets at the shelter.

The AWS Purrfect Valentine’s Buffet and Auction will bring another fun evening at the same venue on Saturday, February 15th, with proceeds going toward completion of an animal isolation room, currently in progress, as well as other renovation projects at the AWS animal shelter on Leetown Pike, located near the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. For details on this event or how to help support the Society, visit the website at www.awsjc.org or call 304-579-7262.