Nov 12, 2007

Gala brings out wild, domestic party animals

By Adria Murray / Society Columnist

The cat ladies were there.

So too, were the bird watchers. The squirrel feeders. The dog people.

And yes, even a few actual canines.

At the Peninsula Humane Society and SPCA's 20th annual auction gala, "A Home for the Holidays," the meals were vegetarian, the fur was worn by four-legged guests (who grew it themselves), and the funds were raised for the society and its Foster Care Program, providing homes for San Mateo County's animals in need.

At the Foster City Crown Plaza Hotel on Nov. 3, more than 400 guests gathered to bid on unique auction items gathered by the Peninsula Humane Society and SPCA Auxiliary - and to party like animals.

Attendees at the gala were happy to report to Peninsula Humane Society and SPCA President Ken White that the affair was "no stuffy black-tie event."

"It's really a celebration," White said. "We want everyone to enjoy themselves and party."

Gala attendee Donna Huggins, dressed in a slinky black dress with a cat design, got a good laugh when friend Jamis MacNiven greeted her wearing a cutout of her husband Chuck Huggins' face. (Chuck could not be in attendance that evening.) MacNiven was also spotted wearing a cutout of Al Gore's face during the cocktail hour.

Sponsor Marilyn Porto's guest Brenda LaMont and LaMont's dog Charleston celebrated the evening by sharing a little brew (nonalcoholic, of course), while auction item G, a nameless schnoodle (schnauzer/poodle mix), circled the crowd in search of new owners with volunteer Mirissa McMurray.

The auction featured many "Petpourri" items - including a "Mutts" collector's print comic strip, Pampered Pooch Swing and Terrier telephone - and items donated by animal activist and former Hillsborough resident actress Alicia Silverstone. Won by Cornelis Van Aalst, the Silverstone auction lot included a personally autographed original script from "Clueless," plus a director's chair seatback and a funniest actress American Comedy Award signed by the actress.

During the live auction, Peggy Jones was the highest bidder on the puppy schnoodle, and Tony Melkonian won a commissioned custom oil painting of his pet.

The Humane Society cares not just for the county's companion animals, but for its wildlife as well, President White said.

"We saved the lives of 7,000 animals last year," White said. "One thousand of those were native wild animals - squirrels, songbirds, hummingbirds, ducks, hawks, sparrows. ...
"Many, many birds."

The Fund-a-Need portion of the live auction raised money to support the society's Foster Care Program, which provides animals no longer in need of immediate medical attention or behavioral supervision a place to continue recovery before they are ready for adoption.

For the fifth straight year, the society has placed every healthy cat and dog in its care in a home. Along with the Hope Program that treats and rehabilitates sick and injured animals, the Foster Care Program helps the society maintain its 100 percent pet placement guarantee.

Among the many attendees sqeezing by guests to peruse the auction tables were San Mateo County Supervisor Jerry Hill and his wife Sky, Supervisor Mark Church, and gala sponsor and society board member Vanessa Getty.

Though only initial estimates are in, White said the event looks to have raised in excess of $140,000, an all-time high.

Which goes to show, nothing sells a person quite like a schnoodle.


Adria Murray's society column appears every Sunday in the Daily News. Send event information to 324 High St., Palo Alto, CA 94301, or e-mail amurray@dailynews group.com or call 650-327-9090, ext. 328.