The Animal Rescue League of Marshalltown works to reunite pets with their families, and when necessary, rescue and rehome lost and abused animals. Keeping its shelter open costs approximately $650,000 a year, or about $54,000 a month. Now in its fifth year, the Furr Ball raises money that stays local. It will take place April 11 at Midnight Garden, 1501 S. 17th Ave., with doors opening at 4 p.m. This year’s theme: “Sparkle After Dark.”

The goal is to raise $125,000 with a little over $60,000 already pledged. Last year’s ball brought in $115,000.

“This is probably the largest fundraiser in Marshalltown, besides United Way,” said Peggy Hannam who co-chairs the event with Susan Krough.

Live music by Rhythmic Rewind will kick things off, followed by a welcome and dinner, starting at 6 p.m. Local chef Eric Boone will serve a carved beef entrée at the carving station, with the rest of the menu prepared by Bobcat Café, which is a student-run program started in 2024 through Marshalltown High School’s culinary and entrepreneurship program, led by Jules Wight. Returning this year are mini cheesecakes by Jill Severson.

At 7 p.m., ARL Executive Director Austin Gillis will give brief remarks, with the live auction starting a few minutes later.

“We want people to come out, have a good time and support a good cause. It’s a win-win,” Gillis said.

Todd Steinkamp will serve as MC and Fred Van Metre as auctioneer.

“We’ve been working on these auction items since literally January 2, and we feel like they’re our best ever. We pride ourselves on our auction items,” Krough noted. “Our local sponsors here in Marshalltown just totally blew us away, like they do every single year, with their generosity, also the community, with their donations.”

Hannam noted that auction items always include trips, experiences and packages, such as a murder mystery dinner, concerts, vacations, Dinner Under the Lights at Appleberry Farm, and more. Back by popular demand is a date night package for a year (12 dates). Purses, champagne and jewelry can also be had that night.

“We have over 40 live auction items, and we have over 45 silent auction items,” she added.

The silent auction will take place virtually via an app called Givi.

“So that’s really nice,” Hannam said. “You can sit in your seat and bid on your items at the same time when everything else is going on. I just think that’s key. You don’t have to keep getting up. It keeps the crowd control down. It’s a very fun experience.”

The auction closes at 8:30 p.m.

People are welcome to dress up, incorporating the “sparkle” into their wardrobe. Formal attire is not required.

Gillis said for those able to donate items, the shelter could use dog and cat toys, dog bones and enrichment toys such as window clings for jingle balls and feathers, plus cat scratchers in all shapes and designs.

“We also need people: adopters, volunteers, fosters,” he said. “The weather is getting nice so we need people to come out and spend time with our animals.”

Felines with access to scratching devices not only keep their nails at an appropriate length and sharpness, but the tools provide a positive outlet for their scratching once they get adopted — that isn’t furniture and carpeting.

Cat and dog food that does not contain red dye is preferred. Gillis said the shelter has a pet food pantry available to the public.

While the focus is on cats and dogs, staff members have helped to rehome rabbits and intervene when calls come in about sick birds.

To purchase a ticket, to reserve a table, or make a donation, visit secure.qgiv.com/event/furrball26/.