More than 30 wines and a few spirits will be available for tasting at the Brookhaven Animal Rescue League’s first-ever “Canines, Cats and Corks.”

Tickets are on sale now for the February event, which is a fundraiser for the no-kill shelter. Admission is $45 per person age 21 and older.

The event is Feb. 13 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the Brookhaven Building at 1134 Belt Line Drive NE.

The tasting event is sponsored by Bob and Vicki Hamm of Brookway Wine and Spirits. The couple, who are big supporters of BARL, recently lost a few pets, said shelter volunteer Gail Garbo.

“We just wanted to help them,” Bob Hamm said. “They do a wonderful job.”

Nearly three dozen wines will be available to sample as well as a selection of distilled liquors. Guests will receive a list of all wines and spirits so they may take notes on each they sample, Garbo said.

The wines range in price from $15 a bottle up to $80.

“It’s nice to be able to try a wine before you purchase it,” she said.

Participants will be given a glass to take to each station. Garbo expects some will drink their samples, while others will only taste.

“The idea is to take the wine and roll it around in your mouth and get the flavors of all the ingredients and then spit it out. Not everybody does it that way,” she said.

Non-alcoholic beverages will also be available for participants.

Appetizers will be served.

“(Like) cheese, crackers and meats that will pair well with the wines that we’ll be tasting,” she said.

There will also be live music. Garbo would like this to become an annual fundraiser for BARL and plans to add microbrewery beers to the menu next year.

Organizers chose the date so couples can use it to segue into their Valentine’s Day celebration.

“Tickets will be a great early little surprise for that spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend,” Garbo said.

Tickets can be purchased at Brookway Wine and Spirits or BARL’s shelter. They’re also available by calling Garbo at 601-757-3211 or volunteer Anna Giust at 601-757-5977. 

BARL’s mission is to humanely care for shelter animals while contributing to community activities that reduce pet overpopulation, encourage responsible pet ownership, protect public health and safety, and promote the human-animal bond.

BARL is a nonprofit, volunteer based, limited-admission animal welfare organization serving Copiah, Franklin and Lincoln counties. BARL provides food, shelter and veterinary services for homeless animals until they are adopted.

All BARL animals are vaccinated and spayed/neutered. Dogs are also micro-chipped.