Everyone is invited to join in to celebrate 20 years of saving lives during Animal Harbor’s 11th annual Bone Drop, set for Aug. 26.

The Bone Drop is Animal Harbor’s major fundraiser for the year. This year’s event will be held from 5-7 p.m. at the shelter, located at 56 Nor-Nan Road in Winchester.

A bone purchase of $100 will help secure funding of $15,000 (or more) to ensure that hundreds of adoptable pets’ lives are saved while giving participants a chance to win big cash prizes.

The Decherd Fire Department will use its fire truck to drop the labeled bones from 50 feet in the air onto a bull’s-eye target below.

Those whose bones land closest to the center of the target will win cash prizes with $3,000 going to the bone landing closest to the bull’s-eye, $1,500 going to the second-closest and $500 going to the third-closest. You do not have to be present to win.

Because the Bone Drop is a game of chance, Animal Harbor is not able to sell its bones online. However, other options are available, including dropping off payments at the shelter. Please first call 931-962-4472 to let them know you are coming.

Bones may also be purchased by mailing in a check. Simply visit animalharbor.org and print off the shelter’s Bone Drop entry form and mail it to Animal Harbor, P.O. Box 187, Winchester, TN 37398. Checks must be received no later than Aug. 25.

Those wishing to arrange for someone to meet them to sell them a bone may email executivedirector@animalharbor.org or text 931-308-8785.

Whether you buy a bone or not, everyone is urged to come out to enjoy an evening of fun featuring live music by Julie Taylor, a bouncy inflatable, food vendors, dog-agility demonstrations, shelter tours, a Decherd Fire and Rescue truck and more.

About Animal Harbor

Animal Harbor is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) limited-admission animal shelter facility operated by a staff overseen by Executive Director Emily Holland and governed by a board of directors that includes Susan Walton, president; Lawrence Neilsen, vice president; Lisa Chamberlin, treasurer; Brenda Butner, director, Gail Castle, director; Jim Cortner, director, Diane Clark, director; Cindy Janke, director; David Janke, director; Sally Lightner, director; Marian Stewart, director; Karen Warr, director; and Anne Giles, emeritus director.

Animal Harbor first opened its doors in February 2003. It was the first animal shelter in Franklin County and was located in a former hog-auction barn on David Crockett Highway outside of Belvidere.

On Dec. 12, 2014, operations began in the current facility, which had been newly built.

Animal Harbor’s live-saving programs and community-assistance programs continue to grow to ensure that Franklin County becomes a better place for companion animals to live.

To learn more, visit animalharbor.org or call 931-962-4472.