2011 Black Tails Gala
Purr'n Pooch Foundation for Animals Honored Extraordinary Two & Four-Legged Heroes at "Black Tails Gala"
A Pawsitively Purr-fect Summer Evening Raised Lifesaving Funds for Animal Rescue Groups
On August 6th, 2011, over 200 pet owners and their pooches attended the Purr'n Pooch Foundation for Animals for the Annual "Black Tails Gala" from 7-11 p.m. at the historic Berkeley Hotel located on 1401 Ocean Avenue in Asbury Park, NJ. The evening raised over $40,000 to directly support the lifesaving work of nonprofit animal rescue organizations. During the event, the Purr'n Pooch Foundation for Animals also presented honorees, Mike Harmon of Best Friends Animal Society and Erin McCarthy, a Harlequin Great Dane pet therapy dog, with awards for their outstanding commitment to helping others, both man and dog.
The evening featured dancing, cocktail hour, open bar, dinner, dessert, a King and Queen of the Gala Awards, a viewing of the "Tails of Love" animated film short, and a video message with well wishes from Victoria Stillwell, Host of "It's Me or the Dog" on Animal Planet. Evening fundraisers included a 50/50 raffle, Judith Ripka Helping Hands Jewelry Bar, and luxurious chance and silent auctions.
Special guests included Dr. Brian Voynick of News 12 NJ's TV show "The Pet Stop" and Dr. Nicholas Dodman, one of the world’s most celebrated veterinary behaviorists and Program Director of the Animal Behavior Department at Tufts University.
Special thanks to Black Tails Gala Sponsors Purr'n Pooch Pet Resort, Bayshore Recycling, Coors Light, Garden State Veterinary, Brand Aromatics Inc., and Small Factory Productions.
"The Purr'n Pooch Foundation for Animals is honored to celebrate the lifesaving work of two and four legged heroes who, with little resources, do so much every day to help animals. The Annual Black Tails Gala is an exciting way we can enjoy time with our dogs and raise a paw to help save lives through the work of our grantees," Elizabeth Palazzo, President, Purr'n Pooch Foundation for Animals.
About the Black Tails Gala Honorees
Mike Harmon, the Gala's two-legged Honoree, is the Community Training Partners Program Manager from the prestigious national nonprofit organization, Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab, UT. The program provides immediate resources for rescues, shelters and individuals. "With this program I get to directly help people and organizations save animals, said Mike Harmon. “It’s incredibly rewarding to play a role in lifesaving work every day.” In association with Purr'n Pooch and local animal shelters, Mike has worked throughout Monmouth County rehabilitating and saving the lives of dogs that had once been deemed aggressive and unadoptable. Mike has also been out in the field representing Best Friends for Hurricanes Katrina, Gustav and Ike. Mike lives in Kanab, Utah with his wife, five dogs, two cats and a constant stream of foster animals.
Best Friends Animal Society is a nonprofit organization building no-kill programs and partnerships that will bring about a day when there are No More Homeless Pets®. The society's leading initiatives in animal care and community programs are coordinated from its Kanab, Utah, headquarters, the country's largest no-kill sanctuary. This work is made possible by the personal and financial support of a grassroots network of members and community partners across the nation.
Harlequin Great Dane Erin McCarthy, the Gala's four-legged Honoree, is the beloved companion of Julie and Jack McCarthy. The family, formerly of Monmouth Beach, NJ, currently resides in North Sutton, New Hampshire where Erin works at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in the "Hug a Hound" program. Erin visits the hospital weekly where she brings joy, smiles and promotes a release of emotions for patients, staff, family members and visitors. "Lots of love and patience have brought Erin to where she is as a therapy dog. The training with positive reinforcement takes time. The dogs must pass their Canine Good Citizenship and Therapy Dog International certifications. It is extremely rewarding to see the positive changes in people when your dog visits patients. As a volunteer, you receive as much or more back from the experience as from the people you visit," said Julie McCarthy.
