Under a bewitching moon, the Houston SPCA's annual Howl-O-Ween Ball conjured a spellbinding soirée at its Equine Rescue Arena, where passionate animal champions prowled into the night to celebrate a century of compassion.

The October 25 nocturnal festivities kicked off with emcee Deborah Duncan, the enchanting host of KHOU-TV’s Great Day Houston. Party chairs Zane and Brady Carruth cast heartfelt spells upon the community for support across Houston SPCA's programs—from adoption and fostering to disaster response and wildlife rehabilitation.

Elegantly disguised patrons mingled with mysterious magicians, fortune tellers peered into crystal balls, and costumed dancers from Theatre Under The Stars delighted the assembly. The ghoulish gatherers were summoned to their seats for a surprise flash mob to the Black Eyed Peas' anthem, "I Gotta Feeling."

President and CEO Patti Mercer cast special thanks upon honorees Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Jana and Pete DeLongchamps, and the Carruths for their contributions to animal welfare. The evening raked in $1.3 million — a record-breaking haul that will fuel the nonprofit's mission to rescue and protect furry, feathered, and scaly friends.

Creatures in the wild included Hershey Grace and Ed McMahon, Dr. Roberta Westbrook, Sparky Frost, Tommy Harper, John G. Putnam, Tracy LeRoy and Brandon Rottinghaus, Constable Alan Rosen and Jennifer Rosen, Roberta Lloyd and Cherry Whitley.

  

Photo by Johnny Than

Robert Iris, Graham Gemoetes, and Hershey Grace.