This year’s Howl-O-Ween Ball was a spooktacular event for Houston SPCA, raising $915,000 to help support the rescue and protection organization’s lifesaving work.
A sell-out crowd of more than 350 gathered at the large, open-air Equine Rescue Arena on the Houston SPCA's Campus for All Animals for the event, which was co-chaired by longtime supporter and board member Zane Carruth, along with Cheryl Byington, a rescue dog mom and fierce animal lover.
The elegantly decorated soiree by Bergner & Johnson was filled with gauzy ghosts, candelabras, and pumpkins for the cocktail hour, where elegantly costumed guests bid on items that included a $3,000 shopping spree at Neiman Marcus.
A drawing for a beautiful, yellow-stone ring from Franco Valobra of Valobra Master Jewelers was also available, followed by a “Paws Up” live auction that included a private suite for 10 people at a TAMU football game and a rare opportunity to witness a rehabilitated bald eagle released back into the wild, and much more.
Honorary chair Linda McIngvale joined honorees Evelyn H. Griffin, Judge Roberta Lloyd, Frances Moody Buzbee and Tony Buzbee, and the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Services.
Deborah Duncan, KHOU-TV’s Great Day Houston host, served as emcee. Dance presentations by TUTS student performers inspired guests to get up and boogie to tunes spun by — who else? — DJ L-Boogie.
The fun continued at the after-party with dancing as well as desserts, coffee, cocktails, and puppy cuddles in the adjacent Adoption Center. And here's a not-so-scary end to the night: Three lucky pets were adopted!
You can see all adoptable pets online at www.houstonspca.org, as well as learn how you can support Houston SPCA in its mission to promote respect for all animals and free them from suffering, abuse, and exploitation.
Photo courtesy of Wilson Farish and Jason Power
Cheryl Byington, Deborah Duncan, and Zane Carruth.
