The great German philosopher, Immanuel Kant, wrote that “we can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals.”

French poet Anatole France concluded, “until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.”

Of course Mark Twain once said, “the more I learn about people, the more I like my dog.”

Anyone who has ever experienced a rough day just to be greeted by your loyal, loving, and nonjudgmental pet when you get home may agree with at least one of those thoughts. Some even believe that as humans, it is our moral obligation to care for and protect animals. If you agree with any of this, we need your help.

The Natchez-Adams County Humane Society (NACHS) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that provides compassionate care to more than 4,000 homeless animals each year.

Their goal is to save as many lives as possible through local adoption, transport, and support of spay and neuter efforts.

They are a frugal organization that strives to get the maximum benefit for the animals with every dollar spent. The shelter’s annual budget for expenditures is $309,250 with only 16 percent of their annual budget provided by local governmental entities. They must raise the remaining 84 perent of the annual budget through fundraisers and donations.

Lisa and I would like to invite everyone to the Humane Society’s biggest fund raiser of the year. The Freakshow Friday Paws Event will be held 6 to 9 p.m. Friday. It will feature DJ James Kennedy from the hit Bravo TV series “Vanderpump Rules.” It will be held at our residence at 1046 U.S. 61 South in Natchez.

Admission is $35 per person or $50 per couple and includes food catered by Rene Adams from Rolling River Bistro.

There will be a cash bar, and we will offer nearly 20 silent auction packages that can be bid on throughout the night. Costumes are encouraged but certainly not required. The house as always will be transformed to celebrate the event.

Every dollar collected will go straight to the Natchez Adams County Humane society.

We would like to thank our many sponsors, without which this event would be impossible. The willingness to support this cause and everyone’s generosity has been astounding and is one of the things that makes this community so special.

Our sponsors, in no particular order: United Mississippi Bank, Delta Bank, Riverpark Medical Center, Merit Health Natchez, Sportscenter, Davidson’s Package Store, Dr. Vikram Dulam and Dr. Vydia Kalapur, Dr. Jack Rodriguez, Flattmann Surgical Clinic, Riverfront Royale Spa, AnRuss salon and spa, Cotton Alley Café, Petsense, Soiree Boutique, rrus & co boutique, the Laser Clinic (Blane and Jennifer Mire), Budweiser, Natchez Brewery, Natchez Grand Hotel, Dunleith, Pearl Street Pasta, Coca Cola, Stine Lumber, the Markets, the Flower Station, Opulenza Designs, T.G. McCary Photography, Taco Bell, Natchez Ford, and Darby’s.

So please plan to come celebrate with us and to be entertained by DJ James Kennedy 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at my residence located at 1046 Highway 61 South. Enjoy great food from Rolling River Bistro, bid on some awesome packages, drink some delicious sangria, and dance the night away, all for a great cause — the Natchez Adams County Humane Society.

Geoff Flattmann, M.D., FACS, is the host of the Freakshow Friday Paws Event along with his wife, Lisa.