Washington Humane Society Blog

Fashion for Paws

 
The Fashion for Paws event at the Toka Salon & Spa was a success.

 

 

Please check out the news coverage:

Bisnow Scene

WUSA- TV

Fashion for Paws in the NEWS!

The Fashion for Paws event at Bloomingdale's in Chevy Chase on Tuesday, featuring designers Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams, was a success!.

Check out the news coverage in WUSA9. 

 

Fashion for Paws Event Tonight!

Meet furniture design moguls and raise money for the animals at WHS.  Click here for more details.

You're Invited: Fall Fashion for Paws Program Fringe Events!

Tuesday, November 10^th  

 

  
  
Fashion for Paws: Home is Where the Heart is...

You’re Invited to Meet Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams co-founders of and renowned home furnishings brand at a shopping benefit, cocktail reception and live interview moderated by Stephanie Green, reporter and columnist for The Washington Times from  7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

10% of proceeds made during this event as well as enter to win ticket sales will be donated to Fashion for Paws™ benefiting WHS. Please R.S.V.P. by November 4th to 240-744-3806. Space is limited.

Bloomingdale’s – Chevy Chase

5300 Western Avenue

Chevy Chase, MD

 

Sunday, November 22^nd

 

   
Fashion for Paws: Operation Pamper

Please join us for a day of Holiday Pampering & Pooches at Toka Salon & Spa!

On Sunday November 22^nd from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. indulge yourself in salon and spa services by Toka Salon & Spa with 50% of proceeds from the day being donated to Fashion for Paws™ benefiting the WHS.

Get ready for the holidays with specials and services throughout the salon, enjoy canapés provided by Peacock Cafe, cupcakes by Suga Chef Desserts, plus a champagne bar by Barefoot Bubbly.  Bring your pup along for pampering by Barkley Square Gourmet Dog Bakery & Boutique who will be set-up on site. To secure an appointment for this event, please call (202) 333-5133

Toka Salon & Spa
3251 Prospect Street NW
Washington, DC 20007

Fall Events Sponsored by: The Scene Bisnow

Fashion for Paws 2009 was Ever so Fine!

By: Tara de Nicolas, Director of Marketing and Fashion for Paws, Chair

On March 28, more than 1200 guests attended the 3^rd annual Fashion for Paws (F4P) event that took place at the Embassy of Italy to benefit the Washington Humane Society (WHS).  Honorary Chairs included: Actor, Val Kilmer, NBC’s Luke Russert, Animal Planet’s Victoria Stilwell and DC Councilmember, Jack Evans. The Mistress of Ceremonies was Pamela Sorensen.

Michael J. Saylor returned as the presenting sponsor and Event Chairman of F4P.

It is such a tremendous honor that Michael J. Saylor recognized the Fashion for Paws for the second year in a row in such an inspiring way; understanding the positive impact that the work of the WHS  has on the Washington, DC community. Thanks to his support, every dollar raised makes its way back to our shelters to help the animals most in need as well as to support the vital WHS programs that benefit the people and animals living in the Washington region. This year F4P raised more than $240,000 for the WHS, making the combined total raised from this event since its inception 3 years ago $570,000.

Tysons Galleria dominated the runway as official fashion partner of the event.  Models strutted down the runway in selections from the spring 2009 collections of: 7 for all Mankind, Betsey Johnson, Cache, Cole-Haan, MaxMara, Nicole Miller, Liljenquist & Beckstead, Ermenegildo Zegna, Anthropologie, Cartier, David Yurman, Lacoste, Saks Fifth Avenue and Aram. Make-up was done by Chanel and hair was styled by Toka Salon.

Canine Couture was created by Kristina Robertson of Barkley Square Gourmet Dog Bakery & Boutique, and was be in keeping with the designs worn by the two-legged models on the runway.

The floral masterpieces designed by Volanni flowers added to the grandeur of the Embassy, as well the high fashion being presented on the runway, giving guests something to stimulate their minds all throughout the night.

 The runway and staging production was handled by NoMad Event Systems, for the third year in a row.  This year unveiling a new sleek design reminiscent of runways in Milan, Paris and New York,yet still able to accommodate those models on four-legs featured in the F4P show.

VIP guests were treated to a private room sponsored and styled by Luxe Studio, showcasing signature Fendi pieces. VIP guests also received generous gift bags with full size products donated by Shiseido Cosmetics, Nightingale Naturals, Tea Forte, SmartWater, a one week pass to Sports Club LA, as well as goodies from numerous Tysons Galleria retailers such as Cartier who supplied a $1000 gift certificate for each VIP bag.

Teatro Goldoni restaurant was the VIP section sponsor, providing lavish Italian fare for VIP table buyers, as well as providing special service to the VIP tables.

After the fashion show guests made their way over to the tent, sponsored by HDO Tents, and furnished by Jesse Furniture of Tysons Galleria.  Guests danced the night away in style to the sounds of The Frustrations.  

I would like to give a VERY BIG THANK YOU to all of the extraordinary WHS volunteers who spent about 72 hours at the Embassy of Italy working incredibly hard to make this event all come together and be the giant success that it was! Thank you all for your help! I enjoyed every second of working with you!

Please take a moment to look at all of the Fashion for Paws media coverage from this past week pasted below, as well as slide shows from the incredible photographer's who kindly lent their talent to us for this event!

Joseph Allen Photography: http://www.jallenimages.com/whs-fashion-for-paws.htm

Washington

Post Style Section: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/reliable-source/2009/03/rs-parties30.html
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/reliable-source/2009/03/rs-parties30.html

Washington

Life Magazine TV: http://washingtonlife.com/video/

Washingtonian Magazine: http://www.washingtonian.com/blogarticles/people/capitalcomment/11955.html

Mix 107.3 radio TV: http://www.mix1073fm.com/showdj.asp?DJID=34931

DC Examiner Yays and Nays: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/YeasandNays/Kilmer-steps-in-to-save-the-animals-42083787.html

The Hill: http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/d.c.-uses-fashion-to-show-their-puppy-love-2009-03-29.html

Hollywood

on the

Potomac

: http://hollywoodonthepotomac.blogspot.com/2009/03/fashion-for-paws-take-two.html

Fido Journalism: http://www.fidojournalism.com/fashionforpaws/

Vithaya Photography: http://vithaya.zenfolio.com/f4p2009/slideshow

Sweet Dreams Studio: http://www.sweetdreamsstudio.com/gallery/7761243_Ewyax#502016727_H8Z6M

PamelasPunch: http://www.pamelaspunch.com/fashion-for-paws-re-caps/

MetroMix: http://dc.metromix.com/

K Street Kate: http://www.kstreetkate.net/

DC Examiner Newspaper: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/YeasandNays/Jack-Evans-Too-sexy-42166197.html

Washington

Times Newspaper: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/mar/31/taking-names-46186392/

Baltimore

Sun Newspaper: http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/features/mutts/blog/2009/03/chic_celebrities_raise_money_f.html

Media Bistro: http://www.mediabistro.com/fishbowlDC/events/fierce_journos_worked_the_runway_for_the_washington_humane_society__112714.asp

 

 

Christmas Has Gone to the Dogs in DC!

By: Tara de Nicolas, Director of Marketing and Communications

On Christmas morning, a team of Washington Humane Society Humane Law Enforcement Officer's led by Officer, Ann Russell, will deliver Kong toys, food and treats donated by The Dog Shop to the lonesome guard dogs living in Washington, DC.  

In DC there are fifty to sixty guard dogs left out alone in the cold. On Christmas morning, as children all around the city unwrap gifts from Santa Claus, the Washington Humane Society Humane Law Enforcement Officers and the volunteer team trek to every junk yard and down every alley to deliver the tasty treats to every guard dog in the city. The dogs, typically German Shepherds, Rottweilers and Pit Bulls, love the treats and attention the Officers deliver.

Since WHS enforces all of the District's animal laws, anti-cruelty statutes under an 1870 Congressional charter, and all animal control laws under a contract with the Department of Health. The Humane Law Enforcement Officers also use this as an additional opportunity to assess the health and the living conditions of the guard dogs, to be sure that their owners are not in any violation of the law.

To make a donation in support of the WHS Humane Law Enforcement Department, please visit: http://www.washhumane.org/donations.asp 

Safe & Sound in Washington, DC

By: Tara deNicolas, WHS Director of Marketing and Communications (photo below of Tara)

  On Monday the dogs rescued from the TN puppy mill arrived to the Washington Humane Society (WHS). (Photo below of  WHS's President and CEO, Lisa LaFontaine unloading the dogs from the WHS mobile vehicle)

As the only open-access shelter in Washington, DC we take in an average of 33 animals a day; there is always a constant need and urgency on the front lines of animal welfare in Washington, DC, and as a member of the greater humane community, we felt that we must step up to help and do everything we can to assist these dogs rescued from the puppy mill.  

So, on Monday afternoon after a long journey from TN, twenty of the dogs rescued from the puppy mill arrived to our shelter in need of immediate grooming, medical care and love.

The WHS staff and incredible team of volunteers pulled together to create a seamless process for evaluating each dog, assigning them an ID number, accessing their condition, and then tending to their most immediate needs.

On Tuesday morning I decided to head on over to the shelter to meet these new dogs rescued from the puppy mill. I work up the street at our administrative offices, and do not get to visit the shelter as often as I wish I could.

The second I walked in the door I had goose bumps; to see so many staff and volunteers working hand-in-hand to feed, groom and care for these dogs as well as all of the other animals in our care, was a sight to behold. It is a beautiful thing to watch people coming together with the common love for animals, and at WHS it is something that happens everyday, yet tends to go unnoticed in such a fast paced environment .
(Photo below of a WHS volunteer grooming one of the dogs rescued from the puppy mill)

I made my way down the hall to the area where all of the puppy mill dogs were now staying, I knew what to expect, since months earlier I had adopted a Jack Russell Terrier who was rescued from a puppy mill. I rounded the corner and there they were, twenty sets of terrified eyes; little souls who all their lives had been forced to live in tiny cages, in inhumane conditions. They never knew what love was, what green grass felt like on their paws, the comfort of a warm bed and the fun of a squeaky toy, instead all they knew were the harsh cold bars that kept them locked inside of a cramped cage.

I walked around visiting with each dog; some were more willing to trust a stranger and made eye contact, some even wagged their tails, but most retreated to the back of their kennels and hid until I walked away. There was one very scared tiny mini dachshund that somehow stole my heart the second I saw her. She sat in the far corner of her kennel, trying to hide under her dog bed, she would look up at me to see if I was looking at her, then immediately divert her eyes and hide again.

I decided I had better get back to my office and get some work done, but for the remainder of that day, her sweet little face kept popping into my head. Finally, at around 5:00 p.m. that evening it hit me... I decided that I should be her foster mom until she met her forever family. So, I headed back down to the shelter and picked her up.

Since I already have two dogs at home, bringing home a third dog may be a bit overwhelming, but somehow my two dogs, Dubi and Tinsley seemed to understand that our new little foster dog (we named her Ruby) had been through some very traumatic life experiences and I was in awe of how kind, patient and adoring they were to her. (Photo below of foster dog Ruby after she smelled her first flower in my yard)

Well, it turns out our little Ruby is now the first of our twenty puppy mill dogs to find her forever home, and tonight she went home with her adopters for good. While I was very sad to see her go, it was a tremendous feeling to know that I had helped her.  In the few days she stayed with me I introduced her to love, affection, the outdoors, play time, cuddle time, and what turned out to be her most favorite, sleeping in my bed under the covers!

There are so many ways to support and help WHS. I encourage you to volunteer in our shelters, at our adoption events and/or as a foster parent, it will warm your heart and touch your soul.

Please keep an eye on this blog, as we will keep you posted here with how the dogs rescued from the TN puppy mill are doing, as well as all of the other wonderful animals in our care.

We would like to thank The Dog Shop, Pretty Pets and Doggie Style Bakery and Spa for stepping in to assist us with the grooming needs for many of these dogs. We truly appreciate your generosity and support.

WHS to Shelter Dogs Seized from TN Puppy Mill

By: Tara

On Friday the Washington Humane Society (WHS) received an urgent call asking for our help in caring for some of the nearly 700 dogs who were rescued recently from an inhumane dog breeding operation uncovered in Tennessee.

As the only open-access shelter in Washington, DC where no animal is ever turned away, we bear a heavy responsibility to the people and animals of the District. On a typical day, we take in an average of thirty three animals. As we fulfill this commitment, we also bear a responsibility to the greater national sheltering community. WHS wanted to make room for as many dogs as possible from the puppy mill and today will be taking in fifteen to twenty of the dogs rescued from the puppy mill to our private shelter on 7319 Georgia Avenue, NW.

Our dedicated staff, volunteers and medical team are working now to prepare the shelters and line up foster homes. We will be ready to care for these dogs who have been through so much in their lives, and thanks to donations made to WHS’s special Sophie’s Fund, we are prepared to attend to any special medical needs these dogs may have as soon as they arrive.

In addition to stepping forward to care for these dogs, we will offer our WHS National Capital Area Spay & Neuter Center for 2 free days of spay/neuter surgery to any of the dogs rescued from the puppy mill that are being cared for by various rescue groups in the Washington, DC metro region. Because the drastic pet overpopulation problem is the root cause of animal abandonment, neglect, and suffering, WHS makes every effort to ensure that as many dogs and cats as possible are spayed and neutered. The WHS National Capital Area Spay & Neuter Center – the only one in DC, serves animals being adopted, returned to owners, and animals belonging to members of the public.

If you, too, would like to help, please click here to make a donation, or consider becoming a foster parent. WHS will also be holding an open Foster Parent Orientation on Wednesday, July 2nd at 7:00 p.m. at our 1201 New York Avenue location. Please contact our Foster Care and Rescue Coordinator, Kate Zapf, at 202-723-5730 (ext. 149) or kzapf@washhumane.org for more information.

Thank you so much for your support — we couldn't fulfill our mission without you!

Lost Dog "Tails" with the Associated Press

By: Tara deNicolas, WHS Director of Marketing and Communications (photo below of Tara)

 As many of you have read over the past couple of months, WHS staffer's Michelle, Tiffany and I have all experienced the panic of a runaway pet. First, it was Michelle, whose 2 dog's accidentally escaped when her roommate left the back door open, then it was my turn when the friend I left my little dog Tinsley (who I adopted in February from WHS) with for the day accidentally let her out his back gate, and then it was Tiffany, who returned home after WHS's Bark Ball to find out that her dog, Sadie, ran away after being frightened by an approaching thunderstorm. Well, something good has come from those heart breaking experiences and the Associated Press has written an article that features both Michelle and I on the best ways to find a lost dog. We hope that our experiences can help to educate others on what to do if they too find themselves in a similar situation.  CLICK HERE to read the article by the Associated Press!  

In all 3 cases we immediately turned to spreading the word through this blog, e-mails, list serves, and social networking sites in hopes that someone would find our lost dogs and know we were desperately searching for them. (photo below of Tinsley)

Each time we have posted about our lost dogs, the response and support from readers has been incredible. Just hours after I posted that Tinsley was lost, while I was out hanging lost dog fliers, I ran into two readers who saw the post and immediately jumped in to help search. Of course, I burst into tears when I saw them; it was so touching to see that the human/animal bond transcends all lines between stranger and friend, and how willing people are to drop everything they are doing on a Saturday afternoon to help reunite a lost dog and owner. I have to thank those very kind individuals for helping me in my search, as it reminded me of the good in people, and encouraged me to go on looking for Tinsley. In the final hours of our search, my family drove up from Charlottesville, Virginia to help look as well, and what I realized is key in searching for a lost pet is gathering friends and family to help you look, not only for the extra help, but also for moral support. Also, you must post as many fliers as you can right away and no matter what, do not give up hope, or the search.

The only reason we were finally able to find Tinsley was because people started to spot her and then saw the fliers I had posted and began calling to tell me where they had seen her last. Finally, we were able to pinpoint the area she was in, and then there she was, terrified and hiding in a garage behind 2 trash cans. A friend in my search party had walked past the garage and caught a glimmer of an eye looking at him from behind the cans. She was so scared and traumatized by that point that the only person who could get near her was me. Since she was a dog that WHS had rescued from a neglectful puppy mill, before I adopted her in February, she is just now starting to learn that she can trust people. But, when she was alone on the streets she immediately reverted back to a feral dog state-of-mind and literally ran for her life every time she saw a person approaching. It took her a few seconds to realize it was indeed me walking the in garage to pick her up, but when she did, it was one very joyous reunion.

WHS offers $35 microchipping to the public. If your pets are not microchipped, I highly recommend that you do so. While Tinsley was lost it comforted me to know that if her collar were to come off, her microchip could always bring her back to me. You are welcome to visit either of our two shelters or National Capital Area Spay & Neuter Center for this quick and painless procedure to safeguard your pet.

WHS on Hot 99.5 Radio

By: Tara deNicolas, WHS Director of Marketing and Communications 

In case you missed WHS on Hot 99.5 radio Friday morning (June 20th) you can CLICK HERE to listen now! We would like to give a very heartfelt thank you to Hot 99.5's Samy K, Kane and Sarah for letting our adoptable dogs take over their studio Friday morning and for having us on the show. (Photos below of our morning on the radio. Photo 1, snapped by Eleanor Blackford while I talked WHS on the radio. Photo 2, morning hosts Samy K and Sarah and photo 3, WHS's Adoption Manager, Diana Foley with adoptable dog, Lil Sis in the studio)