Sean Compton, executive director of the Kitsap Humane Society, has seen far too many stray animals this year. Though he believes the economy and the influx of foreclosures in the county is partly to blame, he’s more interested in a cure than a cause.

“We have seen a huge increase in strays this year. It’s been a record-breaking kitten season,” said Compton, who took over as director in Summer 2009.

The humane society will host the 2010 Animal Krackers Gala, now in its 17th year, at 5 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 25, at the Kitsap Conference Center, located at 100 Washington Ave., Bremerton.

Tickets are $95.

The bulk of the funds will be raised through an auction, which features prizes such as six nights at any of the Marriot Hotel’s locations worldwide, an original portrait by artist Michael Reagan and a seven-day cruise courtesy of Holland America Line.

A large portion of the proceeds will go to the organization’s prevention services — spaying and neutering services for cats and dogs — to tackle what Compton’s described as Kitsap County’s “overpopulation issue.”

The rest of the proceeds will go to the society’s medical assistance fund for unique conditions. In the past year, Compton said the organization has dealt with cases of parvo, a disease that affects a dog’s digestive system, and multiple broken pelvises.

Compton said it is difficult to track why animals become strays because few people who abandon their pets admit they did so for financial reasons, instead claiming the animals are aggressive or misbehave.

Because of budget cuts, the humane society is expected to receive a 9 to 11 percent reduction in funding from the $481,000 it received from the county in 2010.

“This money is all going to help the animals,” Compton said. “It’s great to see our donors stepping up to fill the budget gap.”

The humane society will create a new task force for prevention issues in 2011; the task force will be showcased at the gala.

A five-course dinner, featuring five chefs visiting from California, and cocktails will be offered at the event, which was attended by about 200 people in 2009, special events coordinator Mel Simrell said.

The Dennis Moss Trio, a jazz combo featuring a guitarist, bassist and drummer, will perform.

For more information, contact the Kitsap Humane Society at (360) 692-6977. ext. 7113 or events@kitsap-humane.org.