The gorgeous adoptions atrium of the Jan Rees-Jones Animal Care Center was jammed to the max for the SPCA of Texas’ Paws Cause event on Sunday, January 27. Guests gasped with excitement as they stepped foot into the shelter, greeted by the SPCA of Texas’ dancing mascots, Snip and Scooter, and the mouth-watering smell of hors d'oeuvres from some of Dallas’ finest chefs. But it was the tail-wagging dogs and purring cats that stole the show for more than 300 animal lovers!
Attendees flocked towards the kennel of three particularly fluffy shepherd puppies, watching as they tumbled around and playfully wrestled with each other, fighting the urge to adopt one on the spot.
Guests pulled themselves away from the puppies to follow the wafting smell of gourmet food from several of the Metroplex’s finest restaurants, including a delicious cheddar and sausage biscuit with whipped maple butter from chef Abraham Salum of Salum, fried chicken deviled eggs from chef Blythe Beck of Pink Magnolia and a savory bacon and scallion farotto with brown butter brioche crumb and white balsamic gastrique from chef Thomas Archer of 3015 at Trinity Groves. Attendees also enjoyed haute cuisine from chef Janice Provost of Parigi, who served caramelized Brussels sprouts with tonnato sauce, yellow currants, pine nuts, persaillade and parmesan; from chef Omar Flores of Whistle Britches, who served a hummingbird cake with hot salted caramel and honey crisp apple; and from chef Hugo Galvan of Casa Komali Restaurant, who served creamy poblano-corn soup with corn tortilla strips and queso fresco. Guests also enjoyed sipping on the evening’s signature drinks, the “Bark-Berry Bliss” by nue Vodka, and the “Puparita” by Playa Real Premium Tequila.
Once it was nap time for the pups, SPCA of Texas Senior Vice President for Development Debra Burns and Paws Cause Chair Susie Swanson kicked off the evening, thanking attendees, the event committee, sponsors and supporters for coming together to benefit the Mary Spencer Spay/Neuter and Wellness Clinic at Village Fair and to support the efforts of the Southern Dallas Initiative.
SPCA of Texas President and CEO James Bias then made a very special announcement, calling Mary Spencer to the stage to help him present the 2019 Mary Spencer Humanitarian Award to longtime supporter, Bobbi Snyder.
Upon receiving the award, Bobbi joked she had thought about missing the event because she couldn’t bring home any more dogs! She then told the story of how her family first learned about the SPCA of Texas 50 years ago, after someone took her daughter’s dog. She had called the SPCA of Texas and they helped her get in contact with Dallas Animal Services, who happened to have the missing dog. Years later, her daughter, Stacey Snyder Verbeek, remembered the story and decided to volunteer for the SPCA of Texas. From there, the whole family followed!
“This is an organization that listens,” Bobbi Snyder said, “And that’s why they achieve, they’re big, big thinkers.”
Bobbi then prompted other people to donate to the SPCA of Texas, saying she would match all donations dollar for dollar, up to $100,000! Thanks to generous supporters and donors, the SPCA of Texas raised nearly $170,000 (gross) at Paws Cause 2019 and received the $100,000 match from the Snyder Foundation, making it a $270,000 evening and a wonderful start to the New Year.
All proceeds from the Paws Cause event benefit the Mary Spencer Spay/Neuter and Wellness Clinic at Village Fair and fund spay and neuter efforts in the Dallas community. This includes the SPCA of Texas’ programs that aim to support the pets and people of Southern Dallas to help address the serious stray animal, pet homelessness and pet overpopulation issues, also supporting the preservation of the bond between pets and people and keeping pets and the community healthy and safe.
Paws Cause 2019 was a tail-wagging success thanks to Honorary Chair Ann Horton Marcus, Chair Susie Swanson, Bone Appétit Chair Giana dePaul and the Host and Event Committees.
The SPCA of Texas is grateful for the tremendous support of its Paws Cause sponsors, including: Presenting Sponsor: Jack Knox; Platinum Sponsors: Marsha Pendleton-Gray and Dr. Richard Gray; Diamond Sponsors: Diane and Hal Brierly, Gwen and Leldon Echols, Sally Ann Jalonick Hudnall, Ann Horton Marcus, Kelli and Allen Questrom, Mary Spencer, Mary and Skip Trimble, and Pat Villareal and Tom Leatherbury; Gold Sponsors: Brunelli Family Foundation, Katy Murray, Penny and Matt Patton, and David Rosenstock; Silver Sponsors: Debra Burns, Candace Rubin Real Estate, Whitney Keltch-Green and Paul Green, Hillary Hurst and Mark Schwarz, J Chester & Associates, Carolyn and David Kubes, Law Office of Claire Collins Schwarz, Gigi Potter-Salley, Sharon and Wayne Smith, The Pope Family Trust, Shannon Welch, and Theresa and Tom Quirk; Bronze Sponsors: Steve Atkinson and Ted Kincaid, Brian Bolke and Faisal Halum, Dealey Family Foundation, Durham Family Foundation, Hinojosa Architecture & Interiors, Sue and Phil John, Betsy Orton and Sharon Fancher, Sharon and Tom Rhoades, and Mr. & Mrs. Warren S. Wingert; and Hospitality Sponsors: Total Wine, Nue Vodka, and Playa Real Tequila. Special thanks to BestofGuide.com, Ralph Lauren, Theory, Robin Jackson Photography, and KMG Events.
Attendees included Andrea Alcorn, Steve Atkinson and Ted Kincaid, Shelby Bobosky, Amber Camper, Brian Curtis, Russell E. Dealey, Giana DePaul, Bill Driscoll, Gwen and Leldon Echols, Sharon Fancher and Betsy Orton, Gus Hinojosa, Carolyn and David Kubes, Brent Lemon, Don and Cindy Lindsley, Rebecca Marabito, Ann Horton Marcus, Christina Collins Sanders, Nancy Schaefer, Tricia Simms, Bobbi Snyder, Mary Spencer, Mary and Skip Trimble, Karen Urie, Stacey Snyder Verbeek, and Jocelyn White.