POCATELLO — Several animal welfare groups are coming together to hold a fundraiser that will include games, a raffle and the first-ever Pet Gala for people to bring their dogs.

Debbie Brooks, president of the Board of Directors for the All About the Animals Coalition, said the Rock for the Animals event will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, at the Bannock County Events Center.

”Rock for the Animals is a collaboration between five animal welfare groups,” Brooks said. “We’re working together to benefit all those groups.”

The groups involved in the event are the All About the Animals Coalition, the Bannock Humane Society, Dustin’ Time Rescue, Smitten Kitten Animal Rescue and Bannock Feral Friends.

”This is our first annual, we hope,” Brooks said. “I think it’s important that the different groups work together.”

Brooks said the five groups already work together sometimes. The All About the Animals Coalition helps some of the other groups get their animals spayed and neutered, and they’ve worked together to apply for grants.

”We thought (this event) would be fun,” Brooks said. “It’s something different.”

Rock for the Animals will feature food trucks, vendors, a raffle and a children’s carnival with all kinds of games, from a ring toss to a fishing pond to a cupcake walk.

”One of the vendors handles lizards and is going to talk about lizard care,” Brooks said. “There will be informative booths too.”

The Pet Gala will start at 6 p.m. The gala is inspired by the Met Gala and will have a red carpet where people and their dogs can dress up as rockstars. There will be a $25 entry fee.

”We’re going to have the paparazzi taking pictures,” Brooks said. “There will be a picture booth and some roaming photographers.”

Brooks asked that all dogs be leashed for the gala. She also asked that no one bring an aggressive dog.

”We want it to be safe for the dogs and the people,” Brooks said.

Brooks looks forward to the event because it should have something for everyone to enjoy. She thinks the gala will be fun and the children’s carnival will be fun for young children.

”I think it’s going to be a blast,” Brooks said. “I’m excited about the diversity of the whole thing and the potential for a lot of fun.”