CASTLE PINES, CO, September 21, 2013 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The third annual Friends of Douglas County K-9 fundraising gala, "Howling Good Time," will be held at Cielo at Castle Pines on October 10, 2013 at 6 PM. Hosted by Friends of Douglas County K-9, "Howling Good Time" will directly benefit the Douglas County Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit by raising funds to purchase new animals and appropriate safety gear and provide for ongoing training and care. Last year, "Howling Good Time" raised more than $85,000 for the Douglas County working K-9s. Noted Denver comedian Chris Voth will emcee the event. Chris Voth appeared in three seasons of NBC's "Last Comic Standing." He was chosen for the prestigious Great American Comedy Festival in 2009. A 10-year comedy veteran, Voth is also a past winner of the Denver Comedy Works Competition and has worked with everyone from Dave Chappelle to Linda Ronstadt.

Tickets to the event entitle attendees to a cocktail hour, a plated dinner, and a silent and live auction. Friends of Douglas County K-9 will introduce the new handler, Deputy Todd Tucker, and his K-9 partner Zoos. A Belgian Malinois, Zoos was purchased last year from Vohne Liche Kennels and has proven to be an asset to the department. A true hero, Zoos recently apprehended a kidnapping suspected and has found multiple drug stashes."These are working dogs that are in need of bullet proof vests and ongoing training," said Dr. David Swieckowski, D.V.M., the chairman of Friends of Douglas County K-9. "The Douglas County K-9s are trained to apprehend fleeing criminals, detect controlled substances, aid in SWAT operations and to track. This fundraiser enables us to protect and serve our K-9 officers while they are on and off duty."

A new K-9 Unit dog can cost $12,000, without training or safety equipment. In addition, retired K-9 Unit dogs must receive proper care and rehabilitation to adjust to life outside of the Unit. In total, a K-9 dog may cost upwards of $40,000 over its lifetime.

Tables and individual tickets for the gala are available for immediate purchase at http://www.k9friends.org. The live auction will feature items donated by the Douglas County Sheriff's Office and local businesses, including a ride-along with a K-9 officer, a half day training with the K-9's, a trip to Mexico, a vacation to Napa, a bike, a chef's dinner for five at Uniscali, a Mossberg shotgun inlaid with gold pheasants, a Charbroil grill, and a helicopter ride above Denver.

About Friends of Douglas County K-9Founded in 2011, Friends of Douglas County K-9 is the only non-profit organization solely committed to the financial support of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit, and to the education and promotion of the law enforcement value of these heroic animals to County residents and to society as a whole. For more information, visit http://www.k9friends.org.

About the Douglas County K-9 UnitThe Douglas County Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit was established in 1989 with three K-9s assigned to the Patrol Division. The goal from that day forward was to have dual purpose K-9s trained in either narcotic and explosives detection as well as patrol related functions. The Douglas County K-9 Unit is dedicated to providing a stronger sense of security to the citizens of Douglas County. For more information, visit http://www.dcsheriff.net/specialteams/k9/index.html.