Guests at last Tuesday evening’s Cause for Paws fundraiser to benefit the Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County were greeted by a half-dozen or so adorable representatives of the organization’s raison d’être.
Among them were two of the seven surviving 8-week-old puppies born to Toffee, one of the initial 10 dogs rescued from a South Korean dog meat farm, just 24 hours after she arrived at the shelter. Another was Crash, whose friendly disposition and tail-wagging belied the obvious mistreatment of an earlier life. Caring shelter veterinarians had to remove his right eye, leaving him with a permanent “wink” to go with his sweet doggy grin. And then there was the blond bombshell – a cocker spaniel with an enviable hairdo and a nonstop wiggle.
They and the others pups that night tugged at the heart-strings of the almost 350 animal lovers who attended the event at the Oak Harbor Club. As the county’s official intake shelter, the Humane Society maintains an “open door” policy, never turning down animals of any sort for any reason, and to do so must rely on the generosity of its supporters.
Cause for Paws has a well-earned reputation as a leader when it comes to silent and live auctions and this year was no exception. Their bid-pals in hand, guests wandered through the carefully laid out silent-auction items before heading in for a delicious dinner and later, a spirited live auction. Tables in the dining rooms were cheerfully accented with napkins in a rainbow of colors and homey animal-centric centerpieces, hand-made by a committee of volunteers.
“I am delighted to see that we have a full house tonight. I know that you are all here in support of the animals and that should make for some lively bidding,” said Board President Mary Ryan, co-chair of the event with Bonnie Spitzmiller, who Ryan credited as being “the mighty force behind the success of Cause for Paws.”
After thanking the many sponsors and underwriters, Ryan introduced Michael Mandel, who the board has appointed as the shelter’s new executive director. He replaces Chalmers Morse, now executive director of the HSVBIRC Foundation.
“The fact is that the Humane Society receives very little public funding, and what little we do receive barely makes a dent in the costs we incur to provide quality care to the thousands of homeless, abused and abandoned animals who come through our doors each year. Instead we rely on you, our donors, to keep those doors open,” said Mandel.
“One significant way we impact the lives of animals and our community is through our focus on wellness, and spay and neuter. In the coming weeks we expect to open our newly renovated and expanded Wellness Clinic named in memory of Miriam D. Oberkotter and funded in large part by her son Hal. I am also pleased to announce tonight that a gift of $100,000 has been made by the Calvin and Marisa Allen Foundation to name a surgical suite in our new clinic.”
Mandel shared that the gift was made by the foundation to honor Millicent Allen, a longtime and ardent supporter of the Humane Society.
“On behalf of the board, and all of us at the shelter, I’d like to thank the Calvin and Marisa Allen Foundation for this generous gift in your honor,” said Mandel, presenting Allen with flowers.
In addition to its role as a safe haven for animals, the Humane Society provides a vast array of programs and services to help keep animals where they belong; with loving families.
