Margaret Wall, Jacque Petrone and Jan Howington. [Photo: Denise Ritchie]

H.A.L.O. supporters had a tail waggin’ good time at their recent Fur Ball – a gala for pet people to celebrate their love of animals – held at Cobalt Restaurant at the Vero Beach Hotel and Spa.

Adorable balls of fur worked the room, warming hearts with their wet little noses. Dressed to impress, pups clad in tuxedos and ball gowns eagerly relented to cuddles and tummy rubs, while the lone feline deigned to just have her royal ears scratched from the safety of her handler’s arms.

These pet ambassadors represent the often abandoned and abused dogs that have found a reprieve at H.A.L.O. No-Kill Rescue while they wait for caring adoptive parents.

Their stories tell ‘tails’ of neglect, such as the blind feline found tied to a tree, and the potcake puppy in need of physical therapy after being rescued amid the debris in the Hurricane Dorian-ravaged Bahamas.

Further enhancing the evening, guests posed for photos, purchased raffle tickets and perused silent-auction items, while listening to the relaxing sounds of the Shanaphy Family Band and sipping on signature cocktails – ‘Let’s Get Slobbered’ and ‘Let’s Get Licked’ – before settling in for dinner and the live auction.

Jacque Petrone, H.A.L.O. founder and executive director, said they have much to celebrate, including that the county euthanasia numbers have decreased from 50 percent to less than 10 percent since the shelter opened in 2006.

Among their services, H.A.L.O. offers vouchers for reduced-cost spay and neutering, has a program that places cats in barns, and provides behavior training and pet fostering.

“There’s so much devastation in the world, sometimes it seems futile,” said Petrone, adding that while it weighs heavily on her heart, there is still much work to be done.

“The world is in suffering, but our gift is that we can create a little piece of heaven in the chaos,” she said. “Tonight I want to thank everybody that has supported H.A.L.O. and created that little piece of heaven for the animals. It matters.”

Proceeds from the Fur Ball will support the construction of a new Enrichment Center, a 5,000-square-foot facility that will enable them to provide expanded quality care and meet the behavioral and medical needs of their furry wards.

The dual-purpose facility will hold training classes and a low-cost medical clinic for microchipping and vaccinations, and spay and neutering for low-income residents.

“This facility is going to keep animals in their homes and reduce intake numbers in our county shelter,” explained Allyson Bootes, director of development. “We’re fighting both battles – getting them adopted and reducing intake numbers.”

Get ready to bark with the dogs during the Chase Your Tail 5K on Jan. 25. For more information, visit halorescuefl.org.