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Humane Society heads online with its annual Salem auction

Susan Fletcher gets into the holiday spirit with Bane, a feral cat she is fostering for the Willamette Humane Society. The society has scheduled its annual auction for Saturday, Oct. 24. (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter)

In 20 years, there’s never been a Boo Bash fundraiser for the Willamette Humane Society like the one happening on Saturday, Oct. 24.

This year, the coronavirus has forced the shelter staff to stage its live and silent auctions online instead of opening the Salem Convention Center doors to the 400 to 500 supporters who attend annually, generally donating about $135,000.

“We’re hoping for the best,” said Callie Gisler, communications director at the shelter. “This year has been an adventure for us as we transition to a virtual event so it’s been hard to predict how things will go.”

To take part in the silent auction go to https://bowsers2020.ggo.bid/ and click on “start bidding” in the upper right-hand corner. Enter your email address and follow the instructions to complete registration. 

Money raised goes to support a spay-neuter clinic and for the day-to-day care of the animals.

“Scary Tails” is the theme for the Humane Society’s biggest fundraiser of the year that will run from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 and can be ordered online at whs4pets.org/scarytails.

Those who can’t attend the virtual event but want to give a donation can send it to P.O. Box 13005, Salem, OR 97309.

To increase interest in the event, “our favorite auctioneer Brad Caldwell will return to lead participants through the live auction,” Gisler said.

Up for bid will be artwork, handcrafted scarves, gift baskets and vacation and travel packages.

As well as the auctions, there will be contests and storytelling.

Director B.J. Andersen will provide updates on activities and the status of what’s happening in the way of restrictions required because of the virus.

Major sponsors this year are the VCA Salem Animal Hospit, Capitol Subaru and Maps Community Foundation.

The idea for opening an animal shelter in Salem came 55 years ago from Jessie Michelson, Eleanor Gordon-Thompson and Jeanne Beardsley.

The three wanted to provide better care for the animals taken to the “rundown, undersized and outdated” Marion County Dog Pound, according to the shelter’s website.

By 1969, the women and other volunteers had raised enough money to put up a building that contained 20 dog and 25 cat kennels.

A larger shelter at 4246 Turner Rd. S.E. opened several years later near the first building.

For more information about the Humane Society’s programs and services or to learn about volunteer opportunities call 503-362-6892.

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