Black-Tie Gala To Feature Humane Society Adoptable Pets

TAMPA, FL – Despite the rising thermometer, winter is just around the corner. To celebrate the coming cool weather, the Humane Society of Tampa Bay will present a Nordic Nights theme at its annual Tuxes & Tails fundraiser Oct. 13.

This is the humane society’s signature, black-tie fundraising gala, which helps fund the nonprofit pet shelter throughout the year.

Guests will drink, dine and dance under a canopy of stars and snowflakes from 5:30 p.m. to midnight at the Tampa Convention Center, 333 S. Franklin St., Tampa.

The event, hosted by honorary chairwomen Lisa and Nikki DeBartolo. sells out each year so those wishing to attend are encouraged to purchase their tickets early by clicking here or by calling 813-876-4150.

“We are so excited about this year’s event,” said special events manager Ornella Varchi. “Our community is incredibly generous and we can’t wait to throw them an amazing party to say ‘thank you’ and to celebrate our shared passion for homeless animals.”

The night will include:

· A cocktail party with complimentary wine and beer

· More than 70 adoptable pets

· A silent auction with more than 100 luxury items

· A live auction with exclusive lots

· A VIP lounge with an open bar, appetizers and entertainment

· Dinner with complimentary wine and beer

· A glimpse into the Humane Society of Tampa Bay’s life-saving work

· Entertainment by Dorene Collier’s Event Show Productions including a runway show with adoptable pets

· An après-ski-themed after-party by the water with drinks, a DJ, dancing, coffee and a cigar bar

The presenting sponsor for the event is The Brink Foundation.

The following top sponsors also gave support: Best In Show- An Anonymous Friend of the Animals; Ties & Tiaras- Antinori Family, Gerry and Suzie Archibald/Tampa Coin, BlueGrace Logistics, Cypress Boutique, Lisa DeBartolo and Don Miggs, Nikki DeBartolo and Sheriff Chad Chronister, Periodontal Health Center, and Cherie and Harvey Schonbrun. A complete list of sponsors can be found at TuxesTailsTampa.com.

The Humane Society of Tampa Bay is one of Tampa's oldest nonprofit organizations. It was established in 1912 and, in 1926, found a home at 3607 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa, when an animal lover donated the property and a two-story house.

The current facility was built in the 1960s and is now showing wear and tear after sheltering 8,600 animals each year.

So, this summer the shelter announced plans to construct a 42,000-square-foot facility.

“We have done an incredible job of keeping our animals comfortable and safe in a building that is half a century old,” said Sherry Silk, CEO of the Humane Society of Tampa Bay. “But it’s time to do better. Tampa Bay’s homeless animals deserve so much more and, with the help of our community, we intend to give it to them.”

Longtime pet lovers and society supporters, the DeBartolo family, provided a substantial contribution to allow the society to begin construction in the spring.

“The DeBartolo family is passionately committed to our community and, because of our personal love for animals, it seemed only fitting to support the construction of a larger and improved shelter to serve Tampa Bay’s homeless pets,” said Lisa DeBartolo, executive vice president of DeBartolo Holdings LLC. “The DeBartolo Family Animal Shelter will undoubtedly provide hope for the animals in our midst needing care and comfort.”

In addition to doubling the current capacity, the DeBartolo Family Animal Shelter at the Humane Society of Tampa Bay will have central heating and air, isolation space to contain contagious disease, and nursery accommodations for under-aged puppies, kittens and nursing moms. The society expects that it will be able to save an additional 2,000 animals annually with the new facility.

Thomas Everett Lamb Design & Development donated its services to design the new facility and architect Kevin Hart of Kevin Hart Associates and DeBartolo Construction Services LLC have signed on to implement the design and construction of the facility. The projected cost for construction of the building is $11 million. The Society has already raised $8.7 million toward that goal.

“We know the community will support our efforts,” said Karen Ryals, chief development officer for the Humane Society of Tampa Bay. “The Humane Society of Tampa Bay is their shelter, in the heart of their city, and they have never disappointed in showing their compassion for homeless pets.”

The Society officially launched its capital campaign with a website and donation portal. Visitors to the site can donate toward construction, see building plans, browse additional naming rights opportunities and watch a virtual tour of the current shelter.

“We are so close to our goal and need the entire community to pull together for homeless animals,” said Silk. “This campaign is about one thing – saving more lives – and we can’t imagine anyone saying ‘no’ to that.”

Image via Humane Society of Tampa Bay

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