A perfect party for pups and their people – The city’s first pet-friendly, black-tie event
This Friday night at the premiere social event of the season, guests will strut the red carpet bedecked in designer shoes, diamond collars, tiaras, custom-made ball gowns, tuxes and bow ties the likes of which this city has never seen.
And, with that being the fashion forecast for canine couture, who knows what their escorts wear? Still, nearly 300 two-legged Baton Rougeans will be putting on the dog for the Fur Ball, the city’s first pet-friendly, black-tie event.
The evening of dining, drinking and dancing celebrates and benefits Companion Animal Alliance (CAA), the non-profit organization that took over the East Baton Rouge Parish municipal shelter in August 2011.
“There are Fur Balls in Chicago, New York and Los Angeles,” says event chair Amanda Vincent. “And, we’re excited to bring it to Baton Rouge. It’s going to be a very, very fun event.”
Once they make their way past the pup-arazzi professional photographers on the red carpet, the canines’ companions can enjoy a cocktail buffet, wine, beer, cash bar, jazz band and a silent auction that features pet-centered merchandise.
The pups can also pull their people toward Whole Foods’ Mutt-ini Bar with organic dog food served in martini glasses, which might leaving them begging for doggie gelato from Latte e Miele’s food truck. For more pampering, Petz Plaza offers paw-dicures and other fluffing and buffing for Fido. A new doggie ‘do might be de rigueur for Fur Ball royalty. A king and queen will be crowned from among the doggie guests who receive the most votes on http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fur-Ball-Baton-Rouge/337468829598187.
Remarkably, Amanda Vincent reports not all the guests are pet owners. “These are people who care about Baton Rouge becoming a better community,” she says. “They realize how we treat our animals says a lot about our city.”
And, should any of the guests decide they have room in hearts and homes for a furry friend, Project Purr, Yelp!BR and Friends of the Animals will be on site with adorable, adoptable shelter animals.
By April 26, the first-time fundraiser had generated $56,000 in ticket sales, with silent auction items estimated to raise an additional $30,000.
The additional funds are a welcome relief to cash-strapped CAA. Since taking over the shelter eight months ago, the organization has fortified the 30-year-old kennels, updated its policies and revved up its staff with a few new paid positions and a host of dedicated volunteers. Their efforts have significantly affected the homeless pet’s chances of leaving the shelter alive. Beginning in November, approximately 67% of animals exited the shelter to enter a rescue, foster or permanent home compared to 20% only one year before.
CAA receives $400,000 a year from the city as well as use and maintenance of their North Baton Rouge building, which is valued at $300,000. Early on, the organization amassed another $600,000 through donors including the Baton Rouge Area Foundation and board member’s contacts. While many grants remain pending, the steady of stream of animals—on average 27 to 47 a day—continues. So, funds from this event will be dedicated to the supplies and medicines necessary to perform basic, humane animal treatment of lost and homeless dogs, cats, puppies, kittens and occasional horses, goats, chickens, rabbits, roosters and other animals confined at the shelter.
Tickets are still available. Prices range from $75 per pet to $250 per couple to $1,000 for a table of eight. For more information, call 242-9793 or visit http://www.furballbr.org/FurBallBR.org/Welcome%21.html.
