The leaders of the Tama County Humane Society are always looking for new ways to raise money and support their shelter — which is almost always at capacity or close to it for both cats and dogs — and this weekend, community members will have a unique opportunity to do so.

On Saturday night beginning at 7 p.m., nationally touring comedian Clay Foley, a former cruelty investigator and animal rescuer and transporter who hosts the “Foley Informed” podcast, will headline “Comedy to the Rescue” at the Tama Ballroom. Shelter Director Kayla Kerkove said Foley reached out to them about doing this kind of event, and Board Member Rachel Buchanan added that he has previously performed at a shelter she previously worked for in Fort Dodge.

“They had a really good time with him. I reached out to them and they said they enjoyed working with him, and I said ‘Why don’t we go ahead and work with him too?'” Buchanan said.

Foley founded Comedy to the Rescue in 2023.

“I’m thrilled by the response it’s received! In our first year, our events raised over $72,000 for animal charities. We’re on pace to smash that in our second year. I was born and raised in Lee County, Iowa (and) lived in Iowa City for most of my twenties. Though I’ve been an Illinois resident since 2006, returning to Iowa always feels like coming home,” he wrote in an email to the News Chronicle. “I often say, ‘Comedy to the Rescue events feel like being among friends.’ In small towns, that’s literally true! A bunch of animal-lovers laughing it up with their neighbors. I’m looking forward to visiting Tama and raising money for such a terrific cause.”

Kerkove said people have already told her they’re excited about the event and the chance to experience something different while raising money for homeless pets.

“Right now we have an overload of kittens, so we’ll have their spay and neuter costs coming up soon,” she said. “I am actually right now over capacity for cats and right at capacity for dogs.”

There are 14 dogs and 45 cats currently living at the shelter. In addition to the stand-up comedy, a total of four food trucks will be set up outside of the ballroom before the show, and t-shirts will also be available for sale along with a 50-50 raffle and two raffled baskets donated locally.

Tickets are $25. The ballroom is located at 1411 E. 5th St.