Animal Friends’ Black Tie & Tails
Puppies were grabbing a lot of attention at this year’s Black Tie and Tails gala to benefit Animal Friends.
The party at the shelter’s 75acre campus in Ohio Township was sold out Saturday night, with more than 450 pet people strolling through the Resource Center and eventually making their way to the tents for al fresco dining, fire pits and music by guitarist and singer Adam Fitz. Animal Friends started using its campus as the venue in 2013.
“This is our 25th annual Black Tie & Tails and it is the biggest fundraiser of the year for us,” said board chair and event co-chair Sarah McKean. “We decided it was the best place to show off our organization and the animals.”
“We couldn’t have a more beautiful evening and beautiful campus, thanks to Lux Creative and all of our volunteers and staff,” said executive director Kathleen Beaver.
The event grossed $774,000. “However, our challenge to fund our humane investigations program and humane officers runs through the end of the month,” she noted.
A patron reception kicked off the evening with human and fourlegged greeters. Cufflink, a 2month-old puppy, was a hit with guests who wanted their picture taken with him.
“Isn’t he the cutest?” said event co-chair Gina Carlos.
While the puppies are always a hit, it was the felines that were hoping to get the focus.
“We are overflowing with cats right now,” noted Bob Fragasso, an Animal Friends board member who led a funding challenge with a $100,000 donation.
He was right — there were lots of cute cats and kittens looking for homes and showing off for guests as they played with handlers.
Once everyone had migrated to the tents, humane officers Krista Koontz, Mark Jones and Justin Galvin were recognized for their rescue work, removing animals
from abusive and neglectful environments. One was Rudy, a dog that was found on the side of the road with severe wounds to his front leg, which had to be amputated. He was adopted by Galvin.
The Officer of the Year award was given to detective Tara Caruso. Also honored were Pittsburgh City Councilman Bobby Wilson (with Debbie), state Sen. Devlin Robinson, Ross police Officer Warren Lillie and Mark Zeoli.
“The reason that my company and my family support Animal Friends is the wonderful work they do in the community,” Fragasso said. “It is a resource that can’t be replaced.”
Friends of the furry included Mary and Kevin McClusky, April and Gerry Delon, John and Shane Weinstein, Mary Ann Miller and Terry Mohr, Leslie and Scott Baker, Paul Gitnik, Gene Svrcek and Sandra Hoeker, who flew in from Florida, Jodi and Rick Sunseri, Leslie Baker, Jeff and Wendy Dotkovic, Barbara and Jerry Safran, Ken Reidbord and Mitch Dugan, Cindy Russell, Beth and Dave Henry, Howard and Rosemary Loevner, Mike and Jill Bova, Sven and Vanessa Lynch, Tricia Petras and Lindsey Coffey, Janice French with Sandy the therapy dog, Sherry and Dan Ringer, Matt Cosgrove, Rachel Phillips and Matt Monsour.