‘Wish’ kers & Fur Ball – Wish Upon a Paw is the theme for the gala that will feature a dinner, live music and silent and live auctions. The pet-friendly event for adults 18 and older runs from 6-10 p.m. in Sleep Inn & Suites in Minot.

“It’s all about making wishes come true. So, in other words, we want to help make the guests’ wishes come true,” said Haley Burchett, communications and development specialist with SVAS. “The whole theme is about making the guest experience a really positive one, but also, they’re there to help make animal wishes come true.”

SVAS will have a Wishing Tree at the event with fund-a-wish star ornaments representing needs at the shelter, such as cat litter, a spay or neuter, medical emergency assistance or other wishes serving animals at the shelter. Guests will have the opportunity to take a star and fulfill the wish.

Artist EJ Rose is creating and donating a backdrop that will serve as a centerpiece of the gala and also as a location for photo opportunities.

Jill Schramm/MDN Staff member Haley Burchett plays with Percy, who is on the adoption list, at the Souris Valley Animal Shelter’s dog exercise area Wednesday.

Burchett and Jake Thrailkill will be emceeing the event.

“We do have a really fun, interactive game show that we plan to play with the audience, where we’re going to be asking trivia type questions,” Burchett said, noting the questions will focus on pets and pet owners. “It can be not just a fundraiser but also an educational opportunity so that people walk out of there maybe knowing a little bit more.”

In additional fundraising, four local establishments will compete in a drinks contest, decided by guests who cast their votes by depositing cash in a donation boxes to the shelter.

The gala will have tasting stations where guests can build their own dinner and dessert, expressing their creativity in making their foodie wishes come true, Burchett said. The interactive dessert stations are being provided by Bearpaw’s Treats, which makes treats for humans and for pets. Gala guests are welcome to bring their pets.

Doors open at 6 p.m., with Tyler Schwan & the Rhythmrunners providing music. The SubZero Winds, a wind quintet from Minot Symphony Orchestra, will perform, followed by the live auction and stories of wishes coming true for pets at the shelter. Among auctioned items will be Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears tickets donated by Boppre Law Firm, a Yeti donated by Home Instead, a recliner from I Keating and a two-room redecorating package from Hirshfield’s.

Advance tickets are encouraged for planning purposes. The promo code TWOFORONE will give guests two tickets for the price of one through Wednesday, April 9. Tickets can be obtained by following the link on the SVASpets website.

“Typically, it’s our biggest fundraiser of the year,” Burchett said of the gala. The shelter also will hold a 5K run Aug. 9, celebrating service animals, and a fall dinner and fashion show focused on awareness of spaying and neutering pets.

The annual gala proceeds provide operational support to the shelter and also will assist Severson Ahart Community Clinic, a veterinary clinic that opened inside the shelter building earlier this year and is expected to provide a revenue source over time.

“We are really excited to be where we are, compared to where we were in August of last year,” Burchett said of the financial footing of SVAS. “Running and operating as a pound is going really well.”

SVAS obtained the contract for the city pound this year. It makes pound statistics available to the public each month on its social media.

The pound went into March with five dogs and took in 15 dogs and 22 cats, of which 10 dogs and 15 cats were transferred to rescue through SVAS. For the year, the pound has a 33% rate of return of pets to owners, according to the statistics.