Donkeys, Dogs, Pigs, Bunnies Strut The Catwalk At Benefit: Photos

CUTCHOGUE, NY — Donkeys, pigs, miniature horses, dogs and bunnies strutted the catwalk Saturday at a benefit to help homeless animals.

The North Fork Animal Welfare League put on the "First Annual Furry Fashion Show" at private estate gardens in Cutchogue. The fundraiser included a fashion show with pets and handlers dressed in costumes, a luncheon, pet-themed vendors, ice cream, a Chinese auction, raffles, and more, the NFAWL said.

The turnout included "the cool, the cute, cowboys and even Charlie's Angels!" NFAWL said on social media. "The First Annual Furry Fashion Show brought the whole community together to celebrate animals of every stripe while raising much needed funds to rescue more of them."

The NFAWL thanked Kris Thomas and Gabby Stroup, who captured some of the day's most memorable moments, Nicole Buckner for being "a hilarious emcee," and all the volunteers who "went above and beyond to bring the event together," including Colleen McGrath of Saffron Caterers who prepared a vegan/eco-friendly luncheon.

The NFAWL also thanked sponsors including Dogwood Floors, M&T Bank, New York Life, Riverhead Building Supply and all the individuals, businesses and organizations who made the Chinese auction a rousing success.

"It was a beautiful day that will help rescue more precious lives," the NFAWL said.

Every guest received a goody bag filled with pet-centric items including a free spay/neuter voucher from NFAWL.

The First Annual Furry Fashion Show further supported the community by being an environmentally-friendly event with non-plastic, recyclable materials used throughout the day, a release explained.

There were awards and prizes for categories such as creativity, pet-person lookalike, and most flamboyant.

"We really wanted to create an event that engaged the whole community and the First Annual Furry Fashion Show did just that," says Gillian Pultz, NFAWL's executive director. "We invited our volunteers to walk NFAWL's rescue dogs to help promote adoptions. And we reached out to our East End animal shelter partners to invite them to be part of the show to expand their adoptable animals' exposure, further promoting the concept of adoption as the best way to get a companion animal. The Fashion Show was also open to every type of socialized animal — beyond dogs — we expected miniature horses, donkeys, and possibly a parrot or two, filling out the runway lineup."

The fundraiser will help bolster the funding needed to complete the $1.4 million renovation project on the new Riverhead Animal Shelter, the NFAWL said.