Are you looking for a lovely new or gently used purse?

A popular fundraiser offers an opportunity browse for a bargain and help a good cause at the same time.

The Animal Refuge Center will hold its ninth-annual Purses for Pooches event from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 27, at the Fiddlesticks Country Club in Fort Myers.

Purses for Pooches is always a fun-filled event, featuring a fabulous lunch and dessert, silent auction and then a live auction of new and gently used designer purses.

This is a great opportunity to get a brand name designer bag at a fraction of the cost of buying one from the store, ARC Board President Rob Spicker said, adding the event offers a special ambiance.

“This is designed to be a ladies event so it has a different feel from the Starlight Auction or Casino Night. Ladies bring groups of friends, have fun at their tables looking at the purses, playing with ARC’s residents and bidding on purses that help support the shelter,” Spicker said.

“We target our fundraisers to different audiences at different times so we can capture whatever your interest may be,” he added. “If you have a group of friends who want to look at purses and maybe take one home, this is the event for you.”

ARC solicits donations from volunteers, board members, friends, supporters and some second-hand stores.

Individual tickets are $45.

Organizers urge those planning to attend to get tickets early as this popular event is already close to sold out.

There also are tremendous sponsorship opportunities for local businesses and high-dollar donors for one of the biggest fundraisers of the year for the no-kill shelter.

The Cat’s Meow sponsorship is available for $250 and comes with two tickets and your logo displayed on the table. The Canine Couture Sponsorship is $500, and includes four tickets plus your logo on the table.

The Puparazzi sponsorship is $750 and comes with six tickets, a table near the runway and your logo on the table. $1,500 Catwalk sponsors will have their logo by the front entrance, by the runway, on their table and have their name announced during the runway show. The sponsorship also comes with eight tickets and a table next to the runway.

Spicker said the sponsorships also are going well and those interested should reach out.

Last year, Purses for Pooches raised a record $21,190.

ARC’s next big fundraiser, Casino Night, will be on Saturday, May 18, at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point.

All proceeds benefit ARC in its efforts to provide shelter and medical care to needy cats and dogs until they find their forever homes. It costs ARC nearly $1 million per year to keep it fully operational, all of which is made through donations and grants.

ARC is a 501 c 3 non-profit organization and Southwest Florida’s largest no-kill shelter, providing interim shelter and medical care to homeless, injured or abandoned animals. It places approximately 300 dogs and cats per year into responsible, loving homes through direct and indirect adoptions.

Fiddlesticks Country Club is as 15391 Cannongate Drive in Fort Myers.

For more information, visit animalrefugecenter.com.