The Good, the Glad and the Snuggly Auction Questions and Answers

ReadySetAuction (RSA) is the software platform we now use to run all of our auctions.
It gives SCARS powerful tools to manage bidding and payments while making the experience easier and faster for our guests.

How RSA Helps:

• Lets guests create a secure bidding account and place bids online from their own device
• Enables prebidding — the silent auction opens two weeks before the gala so guests can start bidding early
• Sends instant outbid notifications to keep the competition (and fundraising!) lively
• Allows guests to check themselves out online when the auction closes, avoiding payment lineups
• Tracks all purchases and auction wins in each guest’s account, so they can view their invoice and pay online with credit card or Visa Debit / Debit Mastercard
• Still allows in-person checkout if preferred — staff can instantly access any guest’s winnings to complete payment on the spot

You’re right — last year was a bit of a hybrid, and it created some unexpected confusion. We introduced ReadySetAuction partway, but still tried to run the in-person portion on paper bid sheets. That meant guests who bought tickets assumed they already had bidding accounts (which they didn’t), and switching from online to paper at the event created long lineups and delays.

This year we’ve simplified everything: all bidding will be done online using the same system from start to finish. Everyone will create their bidding account online before bidding, and all bids — both the week before the gala and during the event — will be tracked in one place.

This makes registration faster, prevents bottlenecks, and gives everyone a smoother experience from the moment they walk in to the moment they check out.

Purchase your tickets online here. Physical tickets are not needed at the door — we will check you in using your name (or the name of the person who purchased your tickets). Having your ticket number handy is helpful but not required.
If you need to purchase tickets offline, please call Mike or Laurel at 780-481-6142.

Online bidding is now the standard at fundraising galas because it’s faster, easier, and more efficient.
We made this change because our auction has grown too large for paper — with over 600 items and 420+ guests, manual tracking isn’t practical.
Online bidding also:

• Prevents ties and errors
• Eliminates end-of-night bottlenecks
• Lets guests bid from anywhere on their own devices
• Gives SCARS instant, accurate reporting for payments, receipts, and tax records

Allowing supporters who can’t attend to bid in the silent auction helps raise more funds to support the animals in our care. More bidders means more competition — which increases the final bids on items and benefits SCARS’ rescue work.

This does not take anything away from guests who buy tickets. Event tickets cover the dinner and venue costs, not the auction items.

The live auction remains exclusive to in-person guests, but opening the silent auction to everyone builds excitement and momentum before the gala, so attendees arrive already engaged and ready to bid.

Yes. All bidding (silent and live) will take place online through ReadySetAuction, a secure, browser-based platform. Each guest must create their own bidding account and have a credit card or Visa Debit / Debit Mastercard on file to participate.
Ticket purchase is separate from bidding registration. Visit scarscare.ca/all-events/cnc2025/

Because all bidding is online, the system requires you to register a credit card or a Visa Debit / Debit Mastercard when you create your bidding account. This is standard at charity auctions.
Your card will not be charged unless you win an item, and you can still choose to pay another way (cash or cheque or different card) if you prefer.

The silent auction opens live online two weeks before the gala (October 18) and continues right through the event. Guests can bid anytime from any internet-connected device — even if they can’t attend in person.

The live auction will take place during the gala. Winners will be recorded in the same online system as the silent auction, so all participants must have a bidding account created in advance.

Your card will not be charged automatically.

After the auction closes, you’ll need to log into your ReadySetAuction account to see which items you’ve won. From there, you can check yourself out and pay online.

If you’re at the event, once payment is complete you can go directly to the pickup area to collect your items.
If you’re not at the event, we’ll contact you after payment is complete to arrange pickup or delivery of your items.

If you prefer to pay by cash or cheque, just let us know before payment is processed so we can record it manually.

If you’re not at the event, we’ll contact you after payment is complete to arrange pickup or delivery of your items. You’ll still check yourself out and pay through your online account.

If you are purchasing tickets on behalf of others, please ensure your guests create their own bidding accounts before the event. They must register an account and add a payment card on file to be able to bid.
Send them to scarscare.ca/all-events/cnc2025/

That’s okay! You can let us know your guest names anytime by RSVP before the event. Please provide them with the event website link and have them register their own bidding accounts before attending.

There are no physical tickets to show at the door — we just need your name (or ticket number).

If you bought your own ticket, we already have your information and check-in will be quick and simple.

However, if someone else purchased your ticket for you (or if you purchased tickets for other people), those guests will need to visit the event site and create their own bidding accounts before the event. This ensures they are registered in the system and ready to participate in the auctions.

Yes, there will be a dedicated line for cash and debit. You do not have to pay using the card you registered for bidding. You can even pay with a different card than was used to verify your bidding account.

Paper bid sheets require manual monitoring, slow down checkout, and can be lost or misread. They also create bottlenecks at closing time.

Online bidding is faster, more secure, and far more accurate — it prevents ties and errors, shows the highest bid instantly, and requires bidders to be registered with valid contact and payment info.

When you verify your credit card during registration, you can also choose to:

• Receive text notifications if you’re outbid, so you don’t have to keep checking the item tables

• Use the built-in Otto feature to place automatic bids on your behalf up to a maximum amount you choose

Our volunteers will be available at the event to help register accounts and place bids.
If you prefer, we can place bids on your behalf.
We’ll have clear instructions and QR codes posted that link directly to the bidding site.
You can also use a tablet or computer if you don’t want to use your phone.

We understand — it’s a change! But online bidding is now the norm at fundraising galas, and it offers major benefits:

• It’s faster, fairer, and more exciting
• No hovering over bid sheets or running across the room to check if you’ve been outbid
• You can start bidding a week early and arrive at the event already engaged and excited