Homeless animals in Isle of Wight County and beyond will benefit from a casino-themed event a Smithfield couple is organizing for Valentine’s Day.

Robin and Peter Knauth, of Smithfield thrift ship Gimme Shelter, organized the inaugural Fur Ball last year.

The second annual event is set for Saturday from 6 to 11 p.m. at the Smithfield Center, 220 N. Church St. It will include food from The Smithfield Inn, entertainment by The Ocean Breeze Band of Virginia Beach, cocktails and a live casino auction, as well as other live and silent auctions.

After the original allotment was snapped up, additional tickets have been issued to meet demand, Robin Knauth said. They’re selling for $100.

“We have a lighting company that comes in and turns it into an amazing casino atmosphere,” Knauth said.

“They have the paw prints reflected all over the walls, and we have red carpet. It’s an incredible night — as people said last year, we set the boundaries for entertainment here in Smithfield, and I take that as a compliment.”

The Knauths set up their animal-benefiting thrift shop in an old filling station at 426 Main St. in 2010. Robin Knauth said they had rescued a black Labrador 12 years ago and then decided they wanted to establish a way of helping as many animals as possible after they came to Smithfield to live.

“Now we have 24 volunteers that are incredible,” she said.

“A lot of the purpose of the ball is to thank the people here in Smithfield. You wouldn’t believe the things they gave to us — we have had cars donated. It’s also a way of spreading the word of Gimme Shelter and what we do.”

Knauth said two volunteers spend every day working with animal rescues across America. When they learn an animal is about to be put down, if the financial resources are available, they work to get the animal neutered, spayed, vaccinated or whatever it takes to save it, she added.

“We have even boarded animals to save their lives,” Knauth said.

The nonprofit thrift store also awards an annual scholarship of $5,000 to study veterinary science at Virginia Tech.

“It’s strictly for the animals, but at the same time the shop helps a lot of people,” Knauth said.

Tickets for the Fur Ball are available during business hours at Gimme Shelter’s shop as well as the Smithfield and Isle of Wight Visitor Center, 319 Main St.

They can also be purchased online at www.gimmeshelterofsmithfield.com. For more information, call 334-0738.