BOONE, Iowa — The Boone Area Humane Society hosted a Slumber Pawty allowing visitors to spend 24 hours with the animals while watching movies and competing in contests.

The Shelter Slumber Pawty is a national collaborative event where shelters across the country open their doors from April 5th through the 6th allowing them to spend some quality time with the animals.

The event helps raise awareness for shelters and fundraises to keep shelters running life-saving programs. Around 55 organizations took part in the event and by Sunday evening more than $1 million had been raised nationally.

In Boone, the event was a smash hit with dozens showing up to spend time playing and cuddling with shelters pups and cats. During the events dogs created their own paintings, Flow was screened, and the Ogden police chief competed in a donut eating contest against a shelter dog.

Kim Adams with the Boone Area Humane Society says while nobody got any sleep, the animals were able to enjoy some quality time.

“There was no sleep. We watched a lot of YouTube videos from the shelter. You can hear everything when the dogs bark, you can hear. But the cats didn’t seem to mind. They probably get better sleep than me,” said Adams. “We had an old cat that some someone else had snuggle with her all night. He just came in from outside. So, he was very happy to have a place to sleep in a bed.”

So far, the Boone Humane Society has raised $13,500 of their $15,000 goal. The shelter is accepting donations through the weekend.