Journey Home Animal Rescue to host annual Pawsta Supper and Auction – Grand Forks Herald

GRAND FORKS — Two cats and nine kittens may seem like a large number of animals, but for Journey Home Animal Rescue, they are just a few of the many being supported purely by fostering, volunteerism and community donations.

Midnight and Carmel are sister cats who came into the rescue’s care while both pregnant. The 11 cats are being fostered together, and they will be available for adoption in the future, but that won’t happen until they’re all spayed or neutered and vaccinated, according to a press release issued by Journey Home.

Journey Home is a Grand Forks-area nonprofit organization that was established in 2019. In 2024, it rescued 1,087 dogs, cats and other animals, according to a press release. Before any animal is adopted, they are spayed/neutered, micro-chipped and given age-appropriate vaccinations.

The organization accepts strays and owner surrenders from North Dakota, Minnesota, South Dakota and occasionally other areas. All animals are placed in foster care, where they receive medical care and learn to be a beloved family member until they are ready to go to a forever home, the release said.

To support the numerous animals in Journey Home’s care, including Carmel, Midnight and their babies, the rescue is hosting its fourth annual Pawsta Supper and Auction at 5 p.m. on Dec. 11. The event will be hosted by the East Grand Forks VFW, located at 312 DeMers Ave.

Megan Preble, a volunteer, said Journey Home was drawn to the idea of an event structured in this way because the team wanted it to be both a fundraiser and community celebration. Being 100% foster-based with no physical shelter, volunteers and supporters rarely have the opportunity to gather, so being able to share a meal, conversation and good cause “just really spoke to us,” Preble said.

“What says community more than a nice, home cooked meal?” she said. “And who doesn’t love a chance at winning some fun local items, too?”

Meal tickets are $15 per adult, $5 for kids ages 6 to 10 and free for children ages 5 and under. There will be an option of pasta with a red meat sauce or alfredo sauce with chicken; both options will also be available without meat. Meals come with a salad, bread stick and dessert. There will also be a bake sale.

The silent auction is newly available online this year, and items will be up for bidding from 5 p.m. Dec. 8 to 8 p.m. Dec. 11. Preble said the available items, which are organized into themed baskets, run the full gamut.

“(There’s) everything from kids baskets, family-friendly style to date night and things to do with friends,” she said.

Businesses all throughout the Red River Valley donate baskets, and there are usually more than 100 up for auction each year, Preble said. Common items include UND memorabilia, Medora Musical tickets, self care and spa kits, limited edition alcohol beverages and gift cards to local eateries like Bonzer’s Sandwich Pub and the Toasted Frog.

Tickets and event sponsorships can be purchased online up to the night before the event. Donations to the auction will be accepted up until Dec. 8, the Monday before the event. More information is available at

journeyhomeanimalrescue.org/pawstasupper

.

Funds raised through this event will all go back to the animals in Journey Home’s care, Preble said. A majority of the money will support medical intakes, emergency vetting and placements at a temporary shelter.

At any given time, the rescue usually has around 200 animals in its care, and that number can climb quickly — like when two cats give birth to a total of nine kittens, Preble said. Though the rescue has more than 100 active fosters, she said they always need more, especially during cold weather months.

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“This time of year, foster intake has to move faster, and all of our foster homes are 100% full,” she said. “So fostering would be the number one need right now.”

Fosters are needed for both cats and dogs. Preble said Journey Home has a foster mentor program so fosters always have someone to answer their questions. Supplies are paid for, and every time a foster says ‘yes’ to opening their home and heart to an animal, Journey Home can say ‘yes’ to helping a local pound desperate to find placements for animals that may not survive otherwise, she said.

“The biggest misconception is that you don’t have enough time, money or space,” Preble said. “Even if you work 40 hours a week, 40 hours in a kennel in a loving home is a lot more comfortable than every hour alone in a cold, dark shelter, or living outside in the cold.”