The animal-loving crowd donned their finest attire for the SPCA of Texas‘ 2021 Fur Ball at the Hyatt Regency Dallas on Saturday, October 2. And in addition to the seated dinner, auctions and adorable pups up for adoption, guests learned how the SPCA and Duck Team 6 have been collaborating for the well-being of people and their best friends in the community. Here’s a report from the field:
On the evening of Saturday, October 2, ladies and gentleman gathered at the Hyatt Regency Dallas hotel for the SPCA of Texas’ grand Fur Ball gala. Guests arrived in their most fashionable attire, ready to celebrate for the animals at the SPCA of Texas. Beautiful white balloons illuminated three gleaming white cars from Sewell Automotive Companies welcomed guests to the hotel as they entered.
Guests were greeted with dazzling purple everywhere, including gorgeous purple florals and columns sporting bright, cheerful photos and heartfelt stories about animals the SPCA of Texas has recently helped. Fur Ball Chairs Hiren and Dhruva Patel waltzed around the room, greeting old friends and making new ones as they thanked guests for attending.
As guests poured in, they meandered through the room to view the stunning auction items put together by Auction Co-Chairs Amber and Anthony Sims and the fabulous Auction Committee including several travel packages, bedazzled dog beds, divine jewelry and more. Host Committee Chair Rebecca Marabito along with the Host Committee members lit up the cocktail hour by thanking attendees for joining in the festive evening. Along the way, guests mingled as everyone enjoyed being together in person again and chatted while sipping on signature drinks, The Purple Pooch made with Tito’s Handmade Vodka and The Pink Rabbit made with Mijenta Tequila.
On the far end of the room, guests congregated to cuddle with adorable puppies and light up the photo booth, provided by Premiere Booth, with their friends before heading into the ballroom for the program. Guests were also able to have a custom Tito’s dog tag made for their best four-legged friend, and folks had a blast posing in front of the Fur Ball step and repeat. The ballroom glittered with purple drapes, sparkling lights and stunning floral centerpieces thanks to Dr. Delphinium.
During the program, guests nibbled on a salad of bibb lettuce, Lolla Rosa, Frisee, Belgian endives, citrus filet, feta cheese and sunflower seeds, drizzled with a cabernet vinaigrette and sipped on wine while listening to emcee Brian Curtis and auctioneer Grant Snyder kick things off. A video about the SPCA of Texas’ work during the COVID-19 pandemic showed guests the impact of the organization over the past year. Dinner continued with a duo of petite grilled sirloin steak and pesto roasted chicken breast, a cauliflower crusted potato cake and sautéed haricot verts.
SPCA of Texas President/CEO Karen Froehlich spoke about the importance of Fur Ball and giving to the SPCA of Texas and how funds help North Texas animals and beyond. Later, Animal Welfare for the SPCA of Texas Interim VP Courtney Burns told the story of Bob the dog, who now happens to be Karen’s beloved pet, came to the SPCA of Texas from a hurricane evacuation and is now loved and cared for thanks to generous donors.
SPCA of Texas Community Outreach Director Rubi Solano and Duck Team 6’s Mark Romick next chatted about the critical work the two organizations do in the community to keep pets in homes and unchain dogs.
Finally, guests like Amber and Anthony Sims, Rebecca Marabito, Steve Atkinson and Ted Kincaid, Amanda Strauss, Sonja McGill, Sunny and John Ackerman, Bill Driscoll, Katy Murray, Gus Hinojosa, Kim Morris, Don Gaiser, Andrea Alcorn, Joni Krieg, Carmen Hancock, Bridget Sommerlatte, Tammany Stern, C’Mone Wingo, Shelby Fuqua, Catherine Callender, Giana DePaul, Tara Stevenson, Liz Smith Theis, Lesli Levine, Dana Rhoden, Sandra and Colin Fite, Marsha Pendleton-Gray and Dr. Richard Gray, Mary and Arnold Spencer, Vanessa and Benjamin Duell, Elizabeth Howell and Eric Broughton learned the story of Princess Blueberry Hippo, also known as Blue, and the life-saving treatment she received while at the SPCA of Texas. Blue herself came up on stage to show off her amazing progress, and guests adored seeing the joyful dog and her new family.
In between the interviews, the dynamic duo of Brian Curtis and Grant Snyder auctioned off seven stunning packages. The zippy pair’s infectious enthusiasm and playful banter prompted the crowd to open up their hearts and their pocket books to raise critical funds via the annual Fur Ball gala auction. As a finale, an anonymous donor graciously challenged everyone at the event to give during the Pony Up for Paws raise the paddle fundraising portion of the evening, and they matched their gifts two to one, up to $50,000. The audience rose to the challenge and met the match!
Fur Ball 2021 then brought the high-voltage fun with headline entertainment by DJ LC, and guests danced the night away. As they floated home on a cloud, guests enjoyed complimentary copies of Modern Luxury Magazine and dreamed of Fur Ball 2022, which is scheduled to take place in the Fall of next year.
Fur Ball is DFW’s salute to the bond between people and their pets and a celebration of the SPCA of Texas’ important mission to provide every animal exceptional care and a loving home. All money raised through Fur Ball 2021 will go directly to the SPCA of Texas to help rescue, heal and find homes for thousands of animals.
The SPCA of Texas is grateful to its Fur Ball 2021 sponsors, including:
- Joy Sponsors: Sewell Automotive Companies and Patricia Villareal and Tom Leatherbury;
- Kindness Sponsor: Vanessa Shoman-Duell;
- Caring Sponsors: Lydia and Bill Addy on behalf of The Addy Foundation, Hall Arts Hotel, Hall Arts Residences, Stacey and Don Kivowitz, Northern Trust, Jan and Trevor Rees-Jones, Tito’s Handmade Vodka and VCA Animal Hospitals;
- Companionship Sponsors: Carla Brandt, Eric Broughton, Hill’s Pet Nutrition Inc., Holland and Knight, Mijenta Tequila, Katy Murray, Hiren and Dhruva Patel, Marsha Pendleton-Gray and Dr. Richard Gray and Amanda Strauss;
- Best Friends Sponsors: Andrea Alcorn, BKD LLP, Central Market, CB Choi Family Foundation, Citizens National Bank, Hollywood Feed, HomeAgain, IDEXX Laboratories, LaCroix Sparkling Water, Marsh and McClennan Agency, Jan and Trevor Rees-Jones and Amber and Anthony Sims;
- Pawtraits Photo Booth Sponsor: Premiere Booth LLC;
- Tailwagger Sponsors: Ash Grove Cement Company and Independent Financial;
- Media/Marketing Sponsor: Modern Luxury Dallas;
- Stage Furniture Sponsor: Nickson Inc.
* Photo credit: Thomas Garza