This dinner is for the dogs!

Former “The Price is Right” host Bob Barker ended every show by reminding viewers to have their pets spayed or neutered.

The nonprofit Thibodaux-based organization Humane Organization for the Protection and Education (HOPE) for Animals does that for homeless pets throughout Lafourche Parish.

The group is putting on its sixth annual fundraiser, Bone Appetit Benefit Dinner presents “Lady and the Tramp” on Saturday, Sept. 18, from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m., at the Royal Villa Reception and Banquet Hall, 4560 La. Highway 1 in Raceland.

Tickets are $65 per person.

“This is one of our major fundraisers,” said Faye Adams, a volunteer and organizer of the benefit dinner. “We need the public’s help if we are going to continue to save these vulnerable animals.”

Proceeds from the event go toward providing medical treatment for the roughly 200 dogs and cats HOPE for Animals rescues annually.

The theme of the benefit dinner is based on the Italian restaurant scene in the classic Disney animated cartoon movie “Lady and the Tramp.”

Capdeboscq Catering Services is providing an authentic Italian cuisine of Crawfish Monica, garlic chicken penne, shrimp fettuccine, artichoke casserole, muffaletta sandwiches, desserts and hors d’oeuvres.

A martini bar called a “pawtini” bar in honor of the dogs has replaced the cash bar of previous years.

Pianist Jamie Wiley, Perry Gisclair, Ben Labat and other Lafourche Parish musicians are providing background music for the event.

A live and silent auction includes weekend hotel getaways, gift certificates for fine dining in New Orleans restaurants, sports items, artwork donated by Louisiana Supreme Court Judge John Weimer and a St. Francis of Assisi garden fountain donated by Starke’s Garden Center.

Some of the rescued pets will be on hand. Donations of cat food and Pedigree dog food are accepted at the door.

The Bone Appetite Benefit Dinner began six years ago when local restauranteurs wanted to do something for two local nonprofits, according to Adams. HOPE for Animals and CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) were chosen as the benefactors.

A staff of 20 active volunteers runs the organization.

“We rescue abandoned, neglected and abused animals,” Adams explained. “Most of the dogs that we rescue have heartworms. It’s very expensive to treat them. They receive vaccinations and we spade and neuter everything that we rescue.”

Adams said that overpopulation is the main reason there are pets that need to be rescued.

“It’s a lack of pet ownership responsibility. Many people in this area love their animals. They just don’t spay and neuter them,” she said.

Hurricane Gustav destroyed the HOPE for Animals kennel last September, but through grants and donations, it has been rebuilt.

“It’s one less thing we have to worry about,” Adams said. “Now we can focus our efforts on saving our four-legged friends.”

For more information on the benefit dinner or to purchase tickets, call (985) 447-9454 or (985) 447-3821.

The organization’s Web site at www.hopeforanimals.com also includes more info about the organization.