Houston animal lovers, it's time to get spooky. The annual Houston SPCA Howl-O-Ween Ball is coming up on October 27, and the nonprofit is counting on generous ghouls and philanthropic phantoms to beat last year's fundraising total of nearly $1 million.

Excited costumed guests filled the William & Evelyn Griffin Campus for All Animals last year, bidding on live and silent auction items and dancing the night away while contributing to the Houston SPCA's mission of improving and protecting the lives of animals in the community and alleviating their suffering and abuse.

This year, co-chairs Cheryl Byington and Brian Teichman are planning the boo-tiful event, which will include a cocktail hour, dinner, dancing, and live and silent auctions for one-of-a-kind items and experiences.

Of course, there will be the opportunity to meet, cuddle, and even adopt animals during the event.

Hostess with the mostess Deborah Duncan, the award-winning and beloved TV host and producer of KHOU’s Great Day Houston, returns as emcee.

Byington and Teichman are both well known for their steadfast commitment, leadership, and passion for a vast array of notable causes, but both hold a special place in their hearts when it comes to dedicating their time and talent to animals in need.

Cheryl Byington has not only demonstrated commitment to others through her work at BP before retiring after 41 years, but also to the more than 60 organizations in the Houston community that have benefited from her leadership roles, mentoring, and service on countless boards and committees.

She has been honored with several awards and honors, including the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation Woman of Distinction Honoree and Houston’s 25 Most Beautiful by H Texas magazine. She is also a Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame Inductee. When not dedicating her time to others, she loves to travel and has visited over 60 countries.

Brian Teichman has spent most of his life helping those in need. When he was only ten years old, and guided by his parents Rudy and Donna, he raised matching funds to protect the city of Galveston’s historic cemetery from vandalism. Since then, Brian has been deeply committed to the betterment of others and animals around the globe.

He helped raise millions of dollars for the theater, literacy, and children with disabilities and autism from Houston to New York and the United Kingdom. Even Brian’s beloved Labrador Bertie played an active role in helping raise awareness of pet homelessness when she was named “Houston Celebrity Pet of the Year.”

At this year's Howl-O-Ween Ball, the Houston SPCA will honor Chevron, a company which has long supported the Houston SPCA’s Wildlife Center of Texas. In 2023, Chevron became even more involved through expanded support and volunteering. Chevron also sponsors the Environmental Education Series, which annually educates more than 70,000 people on the peaceful co-existence of humans and wildlife.

To purchase your tickets to the 2023 Howl-O-Ween Ball, visit the Houston SPCA's website here.

  

Photo courtesy of Houston SPCA

Brian Teichman and Cheryl Byington are this year's co-chairs.