The Chilton County Humane Society is looking to get the community to trade in red roses for cold noses this Valentine’s Day, as the shelter will be hosting its first “Be My Furry Valentine” fundraiser.

The fundraiser will help provide necessary upgrades to the shelter’s facility, such as completing the shelter’s new cat area and repairing existing kennels among others, said Chilton County Humane Society Director Mandy Reiter.

“We were sitting around brainstorming, and my husband came up with it,” she said. “I brought it up at a board meeting.”

Reiter said the goal behind the fundraiser was to give those who support the Humane Society—or just animal lovers in general— a chance to make a lasting impact on Valentine’s Day.

“Basically, for Valentine’s Day you buy candy and flowers and things that go away,” she said. “This helps out the community.”

Sponsorships are available in three different levels: “Sweetie,” which costs $10; “You’re Cute,” which costs $25; and “Be Mine,” which is available for $100. “Secret Admirer” sponsorships are available for any price.

Reiter said the sponsorships include a certificate that states the amount given and the person whose name the donation is given in, in hopes of giving people the opportunity to surprise their significant others with a donation in their name to their favorite cause.

Reiter said the shelter is willing to work with those looking to purchase a sponsorship.

“If they don’t want to come in, we can take their credit card number over the phone,” she said. “We have a credit card machine here.”

The shelter currently houses 43 puppies up to six months old, 51 dogs and 41 cats and kittens for a total of 150 animals.

While there are a great number of animals at the shelter, Reiter said the shelter had a few animals ready to adopt for Valentine’s Day, but encouraged possible adoptees to come in and meet the animals.

“We do have a few ready to go, but the majority are spayed and neutered,” she said. “If they come in, we can give them a certificate to bring back. It takes a week or so (to get the animals ready to take home). We really advise people to come in and look for themselves.”

The shelter is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m, and is closed on Wednesday and Sunday. For more information on the fundraiser, contact Reiter at 755-9170.