Fur Ball
The third annual Pet Helpers Rescue and Adoption Shelter’s Fur Ball took place the night of Saturday, October 27 at the newly refurbished Charleston Marriott. Adjoining ballrooms make this venue a great site for a progressive event like the Fur Ball. The smaller ballroom hosted the cocktail party and silent auction that kicked off the evening’s festivities. It was there that I caught up with bone-fide dog lovers Matt and Kelly Owen and David and Carol Rawle. Some of the silent auction’s hottest items were donated by Carol’s company, Harry Barker.
Ardent Pet Helper’s supporter Karen Siegel and I swapped crazy cat stories, although I had to reference my mother’s bizarre cat by proxy since I’ve never owned a pet. Karen’s daughter Sofie brought her cat— a feline-inspired handbag, that is, and it was the best accessory of the night.
The main ballroom was a vast sea of tables punctuated by wildly colored faux-fur covered balls that hung from otherwise stark branches courtesy of the decor committee chaired by Shannon James and with help from Michael Amato. South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster served as Honorary Chair of the event, and he addressed the crowd with a lively speech on his work to combat illegal dog fighting and spousal abuse in South Carolina.
As the seated dinner wound down, the live auction got underway. Local weatherman Tom Crawford helped announce and present the live auction items, which ranged from dog portraits to trips and even pet surgery.
Proceeds from the gala will go toward the campaign to fund a new 14,000 square foot adoption shelter on James Island. To learn more, visit www.pethelpers.org.
Caritas.
Ida
