(Baldwin County)

The Baldwin County Humane Society (BARC!) no-kill adoption agency will hold the 17th annual Christmas by the Bay fundraiser on November 18, 2011, at the Fairhope Civic Center.

The annual event raises funds for homeless cats and dogs that may face euthanasia in city and county shelters due to limited space, injuries or health problems and the many programs and services provided by BARC!

Tickets are $40 per person which includes gourmet hors d’oeuvres from dozens of Baldwin County's finest restaurants and entertainment by Jeanine “Dr Jazz” Normand playing the twinkling glamour piano.

The silent auction offers a great opportunity to get unique Christmas or Hanukkah gift items.

“Christmas by the Bay is a fun event and a great way to kick off the holiday season for a very worthy cause in Baldwin County,” said Sonja Presley, Executive Director. “We urge everyone to buy a ticket or make a donation. And, consider making Christmas by the Bay a holiday outing for your book club, supper club or other group.”

Guests may also sponsor a homeless pet in honor of someone on their gift list.

Other BARC! services include monthly adoption events, helping find lost pets, training and grooming homeless pets to make them more adoptable; and transport of homeless Baldwin County animals who have been adopted through out-of-state rescue groups. The BARC! Pet Food Pantry is the first of its kind in this region. The organization also funds a county-wide low-cost spay and neuter voucher program for cats and dogs designed to reduce the number of unwanted pets.

The Baldwin County Humane Society (BARC!) is a 501c3 established in 1979. It is volunteer driven and operates solely on grants and donations.

For more information, to purchase tickets or make a donation, call 251.928.4585, stop by the BARC! office at 306 Magnolia Avenue in Fairhope, or visit www.BaldwinHumane.org.