THOMASVILLE — Local homeless animals need support and the Thomasville-Thomas County Humane Society has enlisted the help of an “Odyssey.”

The organization’s annual meeting, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Friday in the Club House at Myrtlewood Plantation, will feature guest speaker Gwen Cooper, author of the current best-seller, “Homer’s Odyssey,” subtitled “A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned About Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat.”

“I heard this lady on a radio show several months ago and she was discussing adopting a handicapped kitten that is now an adult,” Carol Jones, senior member of the humane society board, said. “It was very interesting because she was commenting on the fact it was not as daunting as she thought it would be to have this blind cat. She said it was really sort of love from the start.

“She spoke well, had a great message and it was about cats. We’ve not done much concentration on cats so I thought I would contact her to see if she was available and she responded that she would love to come.”

Copies of the book will be available Friday at the annual meeting and 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at The Bookshelf.

Jones said the author is not making a profit off the appearances and proceeds, minus overhead expenses, will be donated to the shelter.

Shelter supporter Billie Jo Beverly plans to attend the event.

“It is a total support of the humane society, their efforts and what they are doing,” she said. “That’s my main reason for attending. I am also very excited to have Gwen Cooper coming and look forward to her presentation.”

The annual meeting is open to anyone but is primarily for board members to learn about activities at the shelter, its status and finances, Jones said. It is also when new board members are elected.

“We always have a program that focuses on animals to wrap up the meeting,” she said. “It has been a difficult year, I think, because of the economic situation. I think people have tried to donate but have not been able to as much as in the past.

“Our dog food program was terminated so we had additional expenses and the county has cut its funding so, all-in-all, it has been pretty tough trying to make ends meet.”

Seating is limited and persons interested should contact the shelter by Thursday morning to reserve seats. Payment can be dropped off at the shelter or taken at the door, as long as there is a reservation.

Those who cannot attend the event but still wish to make a donation may do so at the shelter.

Jones encouraged people to attend the event and extend a helping hand to animals.

“I think people will enjoy an evening of entertainment, education and friendship,” she said. “They will be doing a good deed for the animals and learn how they can help in more ways than just donating money.”