The SPCA of Texas is thrilled to present the 25th annual Home for the Holidays event at NorthPark Center from November 16 through December 23, 2015. This signature event brings shoppers and pet lovers together to raise awareness for homeless pets, and to help these wonderful animals find a forever, loving family.

Home for the Holidays kicked off Monday, November 16, with the installation of eighteen custom made dog houses at NorthPark Center between Starbuck's and Victoria's Secret that will be raffled off through December 7. These one-of-a-kind dog houses were designed and built by members of the American Institute of Architects Dallas (AIA Dallas) and TEXO, The Construction Association. Raffle tickets are $5 a piece or five raffle tickets for $20, and are available at NorthPark Center and at www.spca.org/homefortheholidays2015. The drawings to select the winner of each dog house will be held at the close of the event on December 8, and one of the dog houses will be named “Top Dog” as the most popular based on ticket sales.

The smell of espresso and specialty coffee hung fragrantly in the air as designers, architects, socialites, friends of the SPCA of Texas and members of AIA Dallas and TEXO, The Construction Association, gathered to kick off Home for the Holidays 2015 at Nespresso at NorthPark Center on Tuesday, November 17 at 6 p.m.

A plethora of delectable delicacies were served at the Housewarming event, including petit Caesar salad in parmesan nests, apricot and goat cheese lollipops, prosciutto-wrapped asparagus, guacamole in a corn chip cup, a cheese platter and purple cake balls (purple is the SPCA of Texas’ signature color). The evening's superb staffing was provided thanks to KMG Events.

Debra Burns, Sr. Vice President for Development for the SPCA of Texas, began the awards ceremony for the Bark + Build awards by speaking with the guests about the SPCA of Texas’ mission to provide every animal exceptional care and a loving home. She highlighted the SPCA of Texas’ efforts to heal and find homes for thousands of animals each year through its adoption, spay/neuter and wellness services and animal cruelty investigations and, of course, the Home for the Holidays event. Then, Mary Butler, Associate at FKP Architects; Peter Dean with Baker Triangle; and Kevin Carey with Alliance Glazing Technologies introduced all of the award winners for Bark + Build. The winners were selected by a panel of judges, including Jenny Anchondo of KDFW Fox 4 News; Mary Spencer, animal advocate; Dr. Troy Cobb of VCA Central Expressway Animal Hospital; Cris Jordan; and Sam Gioldasis, Vice President, PE.

Bark + Build winners include:

• Enviro Dog Award: Malone Maxwell Borson Architects and Manhattan Construction Group for the Canine Eco-Cabin.
• Teacup Pup Award: BOKA Powell and T&G Constructors for the Midcentury K9 House.
• Big Dog Award: BRW and Sedalco Construction Services for the Canine Cabana.
• Most Innovative Award: OMNIPLAN and Abstract Construction for the Wilson Mansion.
• Hot Dog Award (runner up): The Beck Group and Alliance Glazing Technologies for the Pup Pavilion.
• Best in Show (1st place): GFF and Ridgemont Commercial Construction for Benchy Bungalow.

The Home for the Holidays Adoption Pavilion, located next to Victoria's Secret, will open on Black Friday, November 27, and run through Wednesday, December 23. The SPCA of Texas will feature adoptable cats and dogs at NorthPark Center every day from noon to six with the hope that over 250 animals will find their forever homes this holiday season. Since the SPCA of Texas' first year of Home for the Holidays in 1990, over 10,000 pets have been adopted. Children who came with their parents and adopted a pet, are now coming back as adults with their families and adopting again. This event is a holiday tradition for many families here in North Texas.

The SPCA of Texas is grateful to NorthPark Center and AIA Dallas and TEXO, The Construction Association for their generous support, creativity and friendship.

We sincerely thank our special partners, including Bronze Bone Level Sponsors ($5,000): Banfield Pet Hospital, North Texas Cheddarheads and Dr. Larry and Mrs. Joan Rogers; Dog House Level Sponsors ($2,500): Russell Dealey, Dickies®, In Loving Memory of Farrow Herold, Hill’s Science Diet, Katy Trail Animal Hospital, Kroger, Muenster Milling Co., Nespresso®, Kathy Parker, PepsiCo, SAM Store and Move, Mary Spencer, and Dr. John Vandermeer, DVM, of the Highland Park Animal Hospital; Adoption Pavilion Kennel Level Sponsors ($1,000): Canine Country Club, CJ and Phyllis Comu, HFF® Dallas, Jack D. Knox, Mrs. Myron K. Martin, The McGee Foundation, Mrs. Phoebe Perry, Trevor and Jan Rees-Jones, Pet Paradise Resort, The Snyder Foundation and Jocelyn White; and In-Kind Sponsors: Dickies®, Muenster Milling, Inc., Nespresso®, PepsiCo and SAM Store and Move.

All money raised will go towards the SPCA of Texas' important mission to rescue, heal, and find loving homes for vulnerable animals.