Washington Humane Society Blog

Save-the-Date for the 3rd Annual Walk for the Animals

SAVE-THE-DATE

3^rd Annual Humane Society Walk for the Animals! Sunday, October 5, 2008

Benefiting the

Washington

Humane Society and The Humane Society of the

United States

For event information and registration visit humanesocietywalk.org

Bring your canine friend—or walk in memory of a special animal or for a pet who prefers to stay home—and enjoy a pleasant stroll around the beautiful lake at

Constitution

Gardens

(corner of Constitution Ave. and 17^th St. NW) adjacent to the World War II Memorial.

Fun for the whole family!

•  “Best Dressed Canine” contest
• “Find the Bone” hunt for prizes
• Canine agility course
• Music, pet treats, face painting and more!

 All proceeds benefit efforts to end pet homelessness. 

WHS's first ever Meow Mixer!

Join us for our first ever Meow Mixer; a cat OPEN HOUSE adoption event, on Thursday, May 22nd from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., where you just might find your “purrfect” match!

Enjoy hors d'oeuvres and drinks compliments of Whole Foods (P Street) and meet WHS's Mascat, Mr. Pibb. The event will take place at the NEW WHS Behavior & Learning Center (7315 Georgia Avenue). To R.S.V.P please contact, Diana Foley, 202-723-5730 (ext. 150) or dfoley@washhumane.org

It's that time of year... the Bark Ball is Almost Here!

By: Tara

Mark your calendars; in just about one month (June 7th) the Washington Humane Society will celebrate its 21st Annual Bark Ball! In its 21st year, we assure you this Bark Ball will be one of the very best yet! This year, NBC News Chief White House Correspondent, David Gregory will be our Event Chair, and Mary Matalin and James Carville will be the honorary Chairs.

In keeping with a Decision 2008 theme, dogs attending the event (usually about 400 dogs in black-tie wag their tails in the ballroom at the Renaissance Hotel) will participate in Washington, DC's first ever Canine Primary, hosted by Capitol Dog Bakery!

You may not know this, but the Bark Ball is how I first became involved with the Washington Humane Society (WHS). At the time I was working for Washington Life Magazine, and had wanted to volunteer my public relations skills to a leading non-profit open-access animal welfare organization. I did my research and WHS caught my attention. So, I asked if I could help and be on the Bark Ball planning committee. Then, one thing led to another and I was asked to come on board full-time in October of 2006, and now here I am today!

The Bark Ball is an incredibly unique event, and the only one of its kind in Washington, DC where guests dressed in black-tie attire can bring their four-legged companion as their date. Something that I think is so very special about this event is its ability to bring people together; no matter who you are or where you come from, when your dog decides he/she wants to drag you over to meet the dressed up Great Dane in the corner, you instantly become friends with the owner of that dog. The human/animal bond transcends all boundaries and walls we build up around ourselves, and this type of interaction allows us to get to the substance of a person very quickly! So, to say the least, this is not your typical Washington, DC black-tie affair!

I remember last year watching our Event Chairs, Mary Matalin and James Carville make their way through the ballroom with their 5 dogs in hand, and seeing them connect with fellow guests on such an authentic level as their dogs sniffed and mingled with others. After attending so many different events in this town, it is so refreshing that this is one where people really can get to know each other and have fun while doing it. Most importantly, it is one of WHS's largest fundraisers and supports our programs and all of the thousands of animals we rehabilitate and care for each year! (photo below of WHS Board Chairman Jay Timmons, WHS President and CEO Lisa LaFontaine, Mary Matalin and James Carville)

So, before we sell out of tables and tickets, click here to purchase yours! It is a night you don't want to miss!

I would like to thank our generous Bark Ball sponsors: EJF CAPITAL, AMERICAN AIRLINES, COMCAST, NELSON B. DELAVAN FOUNDATION, WEIR FOUNDATION, HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MANUFACTURERS, LARRY AND ANISSA GROSSMAN, SAP AMERICA, US STEEL CORPORATION AND TERRY STRAUB, JAY TIMMONS, ERNST AND YOUNG LLP, AON CORPORATION, DOUG ZIMMERMAN.

BARK BALL GOURMET DOG TREATS WILL BE PROVIDED BY: DOGGIE STYLE BAKERY! (FYI, Doggie Style just re-opened their fancy all natural pet spa, so be sure to stop in and check it out. Call 202-667-0595 to make an appointment)

If you are interested in becoming a 2008 Bark Ball Sponsor, please click here! 

I hope to see you on June 7th!

Bloomingdale's and Peacock Grand Cafe Host a Fashion Show Brunch to Benefit WHS

By: Tara

This past Saturday morning the new Peacock Grand Cafe located on K Street, hosted a fashion show brunch to benefit WHS, featuring spring '08 apparel from Bloomingdale's (Chevy Chase). The idea was cooked up when friend Heather Guay, PR Manager of Bloomingdale's  had a lunch with the owner of Peacock Grand Cafe, Shahab Farivar, to brainstorm ways to work together. Many of you know and love the original Peacock Cafe, a Washington, DC institution, in the heart of Georgetown. Well, the new Peacock Grand Cafe is an extension of that and to say it best, as they have named it ... is quite grand! The space lends itself to power lunches as well as sophisticated fashion shows, and the food is out of this world!

The story goes just as Heather was about to leave, and had put her coat on, the idea hit her to use the models walking in our Fashion for Paws event to walk in this fashion show and the proceeds from the Bloomingdale's Brunch Fashion Show would then benefit WHS! Heather ran back inside and pitched her idea, and Peacock signed on immediately! (photo below of team Bloomies/Peacock fashion show brunch)

With the help of stylist and top fundraising Fashion for Paws model, Lana Orloff, and hair/make-up artist James Cornwell, the fashion show was executed without a hitch and raised more than $1175 for the programs and animals of WHS! To view all of the photos from the event, CLICK HERE!

Fashion for Paws - It Takes a Village

By: Tara

I apologize that it has been so long since I last posted. I thought I was going to be able to keep everyone updated regularly on the progress of Fashion for Paws and how it was all coming together. But, boy was I wrong! I have been buried under planning and organizing and not even had a second to take a step back to reflect on just how incredible this event is going to be!

I often refer to Fashion for Paws as "my child," and we all know it takes a village to raise a child, and it most certainly has taken a village to make Fashion for Paws the massive success that it is in only its second year. From the support and hard work of the fundraising models, who in just 6 short weeks have raised $107,000 for the programs and animals of WHS, to our Event Chairman, Michael Saylor, who has generously offered to match the donations made in support of fundraising models, Fashion for Paws has solidified itself as the high caliber must attend fashion event in our nation's capital. (photo below of Fashion for Paws Chairman, Michael Saylor)
 

Two weeks ago, a month before Fashion for Paws, we sold out of tickets! I have to thank our Special Events Manager, Stacey Kranitz, whose job it has been to build the Fashion for Paws web site, update the model fundraising pages and handle the overwhelming number of names for the guest list, and now for the waiting list.

We now have more than a thousand guests coming to watch DC's finest, including Italian Ambassador Giovanni Castellaneta and Mrs. Lila Castellaneta, walk the runway, and about 200 more on a waiting list hoping to get in. We have literally run out of space in the Embassy of Italy to fit people. Not only is the event a huge success because of the people involved and the money they worked so hard to raise, but also in large part due to the support of our sponsors: Teatro Goldoni, Saks Fifth Avenue, K Street Lounge, Quintessentially Concierge, SurReal Vodka, Volanni, Toka Salon, Adeler Jewelers, Peroni Beer, Nestle Water, Ferrari of Washington, Joseph Allen Photography, Fur-Get Me Not, Tommy Bahama Rum, Yelp.com, Barkley Square Gourmet Dog Bakery and Boutique, The Aba Agency, and Smart Water.

Our presenting sponsor, the famed Teatro Goldoni restaurant is going above and beyond the call of duty and donating all of the food and services. Believe me when I say this is not the norm for a restaurant to do, especially for such a large scale event! We are honored and truly grateful for their extraordinary support, and know all of our guests will be delighted with their delicious Italian offerings. Just to wet your appetite click here to check out their tasty menu!

The runway show will really be quite the show thanks to our Fashion Show Producer Aba Kwawu and Saks Fifth Avenue! Saks Fifth Avenue (Chevy Chase) has signed on to exclusively dress all of the Fashion for Paws models this year, elevating the quality of the runway show. Model dogs will be dressed by the talented Kristina Robertson, owner of Barkley Square Dog Bakery and Boutique! Kristina is working very hard to coordinate the looks from Saks Fifth Avenue's spring '08 "Want It" campaign that will be modeled in Fashion for Paws, with the doggie model looks she is creating from scratch! And, you heard it here first... I have cooked up a little surprise right before the show begins that you won't want to miss!

Thanks to Toka Salon, all of our models will look absolutely stunning. Toka Salon will be handling all of the hair and make-up needs of Fashion for Paws again this year, and we are very thankful! If you don't know, Toka Salon is responsible for the heads of Laura, Jenna and Barbara Bush, as well as many other famous faces here in DC and in New York city.

With more than a thousand guests attending, the bars became my biggest concern! We wanted to be sure we had enough to drink, would not run out, and service was speedy. We do not want lines at bars, and unhappy guests. So, we called in the experts, K Street Lounge! K Street Lounge is not only hosting our afterparty, (see invite below), but has now signed on to sponsor and manage all of the bars with their staff and expertise. In addition to the 6 K Street bars, we will also have 2 martini bars sponsored by Tommy Bahama Rum, beer bars sponsored by Peroni Italy, and water bars sponsored by Smart Water. Lucky for us, SurReal Vodka has stepped in as well and donating all of the vodka and Nestle Water is donating all of the sparkling water!

The decor will be Italian Chic, and adding to that will be Volanni flowers. If you have not seen the work of Michael Lanni, owner and creator of Volanni, prepare to be amazed by his floral works of art! Volanni is donating all of their work, time and services, and when you see the caliber and creativity Michael is lending to Fashion for Paws, you will know why we are so very grateful!

Well, as long as this post is already, I could go on and on for pages and pages; it really has only scratched the service on how much work, energy and creativity has been put into this years Fashion for Paws! Every bit of its success and momentum is the result of so many generous individuals coming together with a common passion and goal.

There is something electric and very unique about this event, and as I said it takes a village to make it a success, the beauty of it all is how it has brought this village (the DC community) together creating such wonderful bonds, partnerships and friendships.

For a sneak preview of Fashion for Paws, and a taste of what we have in store for April 12th, tune into Fox WTTG from 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on the morning of April 10th, where we will be will live from Teatro Goldoni with a preview of the food, the models, clothes from Saks Fifth Avenue, and of course feature a few of our wonderful animals available for adoption!

Also, CLICK HERE to read a lovely note from Miss Beasley and Barney Bush regarding Fashion for Paws!

Again, thank you to everyone who has made this years Fashion for Paws possible and such an overwhelming success! Be sure to bring your check books, our fantastic Emcee, Pamela Brown will host the live auction of a Quintessentially Conceirge membership valued at $5,500 and a beautiful broach donated by Adeler Jewelers valued at $3,000!

 

WHS Easter Event This Sunday in Georgetown

By: Tara

The forecast for Sunday is sunny with highs in the 50s. What could be more fun on a beautiful Sunday afternoon than an Easter dog bone hunt in Rose Park from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Children and dogs are invited.

The Easter Bonnet contest will begin at 12:00 p.m., and you can have your dog or child's photo taken with the Easter bunny.   

Tickets are $5 in advance (purchased at the Dog Shop) $10 on the day of, and $15 for a photo with the Easter Bunny. All proceeds benefit WHS.

We hope to see you there!

Bloomingdale's Shopping Benefit with WHS 2/27

By: Tara

This Wednesday, February 27th, for one day only, Bloomingdale's (Tysons, Chevy Chase and White Flint) will host a shopping benefit offering WHS supporters 15% to 20% off, and if you print off the card below, and turn it in at either one of the Bloomingdale's locations listed above, they will give $5 to WHS for each card dropped off that day (one card per person). Even better, if we are able to have at least 100 cards marked to support WHS dropped off, Bloomingdale's will give WHS $1500.

Please if you can print out the card below, stop in to Bloomingdale's to drop it off in support of WHS (Tysons or Chevy Chase or White Flint), we would really appreciate your help.

At the Bloomingdale's Chevy Chase location, we will have WHS animals available for adoption from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Thank you for your help!

 

WHS Night at the Warner Theater

By: Tara

The Washington Humane Society and the Warner Theatre invite you to attend "Washington Humane Society Night at ANNIE" on Thursday, February 28th at 8:00 p.m. You, friends and family will receive 50% off the regular ticket price for this special performance!

The timeless tale of little Orphan Annie and her beloved dog Sandy will give a whole new generation the chance to experience this classic musical about never giving up hope. Something we here at the Washington Humane Society firmly believe in.

Purchase your tickets in person at the Warner Theatre Box Office, online at Ticketmaster.com, or by calling 202-397-7328. The password to use when purchasing your ticket for this special ANIMAL LOVERS offer is SANDY.

As part of this special Washington Humane Society night, we will have animals available for adoption before the performance begins, as well as an information table in the lobby with pictures of all of the wonderful cats and dogs in our care back at our two shelters, allowing guests the perfect opportunity to meet their very own Sandy.

5 4 3 2 1 ... Fashion for Paws Fundraising Lift-Off

By: Tara

This just may very well be one of my favorite days of the year! The day we launch the Fashion for Paws web site and models begin fundraising and compete against each other to see who can raise the most money for WHS in the weeks leading up to the main event on April 12th. The male and female winner will be honored on the runway and awarded the title "Model Washingtonian of the Year." Click Here to see all of the Fashion for Paws models!

Many of the models in Fashion for Paws are my very dear friends, and I don't think I will ever be able to thank them enough, or convey to them just how much their help means to the animals and programs of WHS.

A VERY special THANK YOU to our 2008 Fashion for Paws sponsors: Teatro Goldoni, Quintessentially Conceirge, Toka Salon, Posh Pooch, SurReal Vodka, Peroni Beer, Nestle Water and Ferrari of Washington!

Last night we kicked Fashion for Paws fundraising off in style with a party at the boutique We One You Two in Georgetown. Thank you to Thalia Atingger, Krista Johnson, Katherine Kennedy and Judy Mayka for putting together such a fantastic party for us! Not only was the party a great time, but most importantly the 3 adoptable animals we brought to the event all received wonderful adoption applications, and will be going home soon with their new forever family. (Photo below of Fashion for Paws 2007 Male Model Washingtonian of the Year winner Justin Magazine, with model Katherine Kennedy, and me)

 

(photo below taken of Stormy at the party last night, a dog WHS Humane Law Enforcement Officers rescued in the field with a broken leg. WHS saved little Stormy using our special Sophie's Fund, repairing her broken leg through a complicated surgery)

I would also like to thank the sponsors of our party last night, Windows Catering and Christiana Vodka.

(Photo below of delicious desserts by Windows Catering)

Sugar High!

By: Tara

If you missed our Sugar & Champagne Affair last night at the Galleria, you missed quite a lot! In its 6th year our little Affair is not so little anymore! We had more than 350 guests on two and four legs, thirty of the DC area's absolute best Pastry Chefs, and the finest champagne, wine and vodka around! (photo below of WHS Director of Annual Giving, Peter Larson and I just before the event was about to begin)

The Galleria at Lafayette Center turned out to be the perfect setting; on the top floor we had shopping for fashionable Fido's and Felines and a book signing by well-known photographer Traer Scott, for her new book STREET Dogs. We have a limited number of signed copies left, so please let me know if you would like one. Proceeds go to WHS. Then, on the main lobby level we had the finest Pastry Chefs in the DC area lined up around the edges of the room preparing yummy and beautiful creations, and all of the wine, champagne and SurReal Vodka located in a square in the center of the Galleria, and of course what would the Affair be without Doggie Style Bakery preparing delicious gourmet doggie desserts in the center of the room as well! Our Special Events Manager, Stacey Kranitz, designed the layout, and it all flowed beautifully. Tucked away behind the grand staircase was the VIP reception with a demonstration by Chef David Guas of Damgoodsweet. (photos below from last night by Rich Dutchman Photography)

At about 8:00 p.m., our extraordinary President & CEO, Lisa LaFontaine, gave remarks to the bustling attendees. It is not easy to catch the attention of 350+ guests and dogs, but Lisa's charisma and words were so poignant, everyone tuned in to listen. Following Lisa's remarks was the awards presentation to honor our Humane Law Enforcement and Animal Control Officers. The energy radiated from the stage, and the smiles on the Officers faces were priceless. These WHS Officers are humble everyday heroes, and I hope they know from the bottom of my heart how much I respect and appreciate them for the lifesaving work that they do each day.

This year we added a WHS photo booth, and our phenomenal volunteer Alison DeSilva snapped hundreds of beautiful photos of guests and their precious pooches. Alison uploaded the photos to our WHS Flickr page; CLICK HERE to see them! (Left: photo of friend Coventry Burke and her pup Holly. Right: Photo of friend Dave Kodack with his doggie Enzo)

I will have plenty of photos by our photographer, Zaid Hamid, coming soon! In the mean time, please CLICK HERE for more juicy details and photos from last night, by dear friend and woman about town, Pamela Sorensen of Pamela's Punch! And, CLICK HERE to read Washingtonian Magazine's online coverage of last night.

Thank you to everyone who was able to make it last night, and a special THANK YOU to all of our WHS volunteers! Without the help and support of our volunteers, events like Sugar & Champagne Affair would not be possible!