TheBakersfieldCalifornian.com

They may not be invited to the event, but the dogs and cats of Kern County will be the stars of the show at the third annual Furry Paws & Foggy Nights on Feb. 24.

Guests at the Bakersfield SPCA fundraiser at the Petroleum Club will enjoy an evening of music and merriment (along with a three-course dinner) to raise money for animals in need.

In its third year, the event returns to February after a slightly less successful second event in January 2011, which raised $17,000 and drew 125 people.

"On the heels of Christmas, it was too close," said Chuck Nordstrom, SPCA public relations director, about the January event.

Tempting pet owners, custom cat condos and doghouses will again top the auction list.

"Two of the doghouses were made by one volunteer, Carlos Estrada," Nordstrom said. "They're very nice. Decorated by SPCA staff, one is a firehouse, one is a princess house."

A third doghouse is an award-winner, having collected a blue ribbon at last year's Kern County Fair.

"Another is a little red schoolhouse. (The creator) was already building it to donate to us, and he entered it in the fair and won."

Beyond pet domiciles, owners will find more reasons to grab for their checkbooks.

"We have dog and cat pet baskets -- really nice ones -- that include beds, toys, treats, all sorts of stuff."

Those looking to treat themselves will be in luck as well. Auction items include a golf package for Trump National Golf Club, owned by The Donald, in Los Angeles; a Petroleum Club membership (valued at $1,500); a suite for 20 at a Bakersfield Condors game; four casino packages; Stars Dinner Theatre package; and stays at Holiday Inns in Bakersfield, Los Angeles, Ventura and Anaheim.

For those looking for a little decorating glitz, a former SPCA board member designed something right up your alley.

"We have a custom-made vintage jewelry Christmas 'tree.' It's framed in the shape of a tree, made out of over $1,400 in vintage jewelry."

Another former board member -- "they still help us out" -- donated a numbered Versace statue.

Other auction items include a gift basket from Moxie Girl Creations, a "fine piece" of 14K gold jewelry from Harvey's Estate Sales, citrus trees, collectible dolls and gift certificates to local clothiers -- such as Sugardaddy's and Patrick James -- and restaurants.

Speaking of dinner, guests will enjoy a three-course meal with a mixed green salad with champagne vinaigrette, top sirloin with a mushroom demi glace and club scalloped potato gratin and creme brulee for dessert. Entertainment will be provided by performers from Bakersfield Jazz Workshop.

Nordstrom said all proceeds from the event, underwritten again by the Diana Lake family, will fund programs that benefit animals, including offering shelter to the county's lost, stray and abandoned animals, as well as education programs and low-cost spay and neuter clinics.

Nordstrom said in addition to the work already in place, he has two big items on his wish list for the community.

"A dream for us at the SPCA would be to have a humane officer on staff to prosecute animal cruelty cases. And to build and supply a low-cost spay and neuter clinic."

Along with working with the HOPE Animal Foundation out of Fresno, the local SPCA offers low-cost clinics like the annual Puttin' on the Dog open house on March 3.

The event, underwritten by The Bakersfield Californian Foundation, will offer a cat spay and neuter clinic -- $20 for males, $30 for females -- with spots open for up to 150 cats (about 60 are spoken for so far).

Dog owners may license their pups as well as take advantage of the microchipping and rabies vaccination clinics. Pet groomers will be on hand along with other vendors and information and food booths. The open house runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Whether it's an open house or a posh event, the SPCA makes the most out of its fundraisers, but there's always a greater need, Nordstrom said.

"We do (receive funding), but we need so much more. We need people to support these fundraisers.

"I always say we know what our mission is -- to help the animals in Kern County -- and the task is daunting. But with the support of people in Bakersfield and Kern County, we can make huge inroads into this dilemma."