Wags, Whiskers & Wings gala

Wags, Whiskers & Wings was Humane Animal Rescue’s first gala since the merger of the Animal Rescue League and Western Pennsylvania Humane Society. But it was a coming together of much more than two shelters, their boards, staffs and volunteers. It was a meeting of dog and cat people with a few wild animals, too.

Gala co-chairs Beverlynn Elliott (with Steven), and Kim Holmberg (with David) were board members for different shelters before partnering on Saturday night’s gala at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown. More than 750 guests, who raised about $550,000, can attest that the Elliotts (with one cat) and the Holmbergs (one dog) did right by creatures of all kinds. Guests met Martha the owl, Irwin the porcupine, Casper the rat snake and more than a dozen adoptable and therapy dogs. The animals were headed back to the shelter by the time the chicken, vegetarian meatballs and cheese and veggies reached the buffet tables. Board president David Grubman said there were 1,000 reasons not to merge the two organizations, and one overwhelming reason to do it: “Our missions are so similar ... Combined we can do so much more.”

Among the guests bidding in silent and live auctions and dancing in the huge Spirit of Pittsburgh Ballroom were: Humane Animal Rescue CEO Dan Rossi, David Swisher, Dr. Anthony Pardo, Melanie Crockard, Sally Wiggin, Steve Stoehr and Shirl Ransley.