Purr'n Pooch Foundation for Animals to Host Third Annual Black Tails Gala and Awards Dinner

July 18, 2012 - PRLog -- Red Bank, NJ – On Thursday, August 9th, 2012, the Purr’n Pooch Foundation for Animals will host its Third Annual Black Tails Gala and Awards Dinner from 7:00 -11:00 p.m. at the Berkeley Hotel located on 1401 Ocean Avenue in Asbury Park, NJ. Dapper dogs and their companions from across the NY/NJ region will enjoy a tail wagging evening to honor heroes in animal welfare and raise lifesaving funds to benefit nonprofit animal rescue organizations. During the event, the Purr'n Pooch Foundation for Animals will present honorees, Jerome Rosenthal, Executive Director of the Monmouth County SPCA, and German Shepherd Jordan, K-9 Officer from the Salem City Police Department, with awards for their outstanding commitments to making a difference in the lives of others, both man and dog. Admission is $175 per person (dogs are free) and includes live music, cocktail hour, open bar, dinner and dessert. Evening fundraisers include a 50/50 raffle and chance and silent auctions.

“The Purr’n Pooch Foundation for Animals is run by a board of volunteers dedicated to helping individuals who work tirelessly to help animals in need of rescue and rehabilitation,” said Elizabeth Palazzo, President, Purr'n Pooch Foundation for Animals. “Guests attending the Black Tails Gala make it possible for us to award annual grants to nonprofit organizations that may not have the resources or people power to produce fundraising events. We are looking forward to August 9th when people and their pets will enjoy a tail-wagging good time to help friends in need.”

To purchase tickets to the Black Tails Gala, or for more information on the Purr'n Pooch Foundation for Animals, visit www.purrnpoochfoundation.org. Nonprofit animal rescue organizations are invited to download a grant application at www.purrnpoochfoundation.org or by calling 732-614-2668.  In 2011, the Foundation awarded grants to the following organizations: the Cat Assistance Network, Greyhound Friends of NJ, Operation Kindness, Project Animal Worldwide, Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge, Special Needs K9, and St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center.

About the Black Tails Gala Honorees
Jerome (Jerry) Rosenthal is currently the interim Executive Director of the Monmouth County SPCA. Jerry has spent the past 25 years in the financial services industry in a variety of financial management, marketing and product development positions. Jerry received a BA from Haverford College and a MBA from Columbia University. He currently resides in Little Silver, New Jersey with his wife, Cionna, and three daughters. Jerry is the nephew of Gladys H. Rosenthal and the late Alfred H. Rosenthal for whom the Rosenthal Building and new Rosenthal Imaging and Treatment Center are named at Penn Vet. He is carrying on the Rosenthal family’s distinguished support of the clinical and educational mission of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. The family recently funded the launch of the Shelter Animal Medicine Program by funding the surgeon’s position.

Salem City, NJ K-9 Officer Jordan, the Gala's four-legged Honoree, is a five-year-old German shepherd, certified in patrol and narcotics and the only K-9 officer in his department.  Jordan was shot in the left side of his chest on January 26th, 2011 after he and Salem City police officers responded to a 911 call. Jordan was immediately treated at the Tri-County Veterinary Hospital in Pilesgrove, NJ then transported to the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Hospital in Philadelphia where donations helped to pay for Jordan’s medical expenses.

“Jordan returned to work four-months after the shooting like nothing ever happened to him, which amazes me. He is my best friend and my hero,” said Sergeant Bill Robinson, Salem City Police Department. “Jordan loves to go to work with me and in down time he loves to play fetch with his Kong ball like any other family pet. I've been a police officer for 17 years, spending the last 12 years as a K-9 handler. Jordan is my second K-9 partner and it's an honor to serve with him.”

“The Purr’n Pooch Foundation for Animals is thrilled to honor K-9 Officer Jordan. It’s critical that we bring to light the important role K-9 dogs like Jordan play in the safety of communities across New Jersey and the country,” said Koren Palazzo Spadavecchia, Vice President, Purr’n Pooch Foundation for Animals. “K-9 programs assist police departments in their efforts to provide communities with the most efficient police teams possible. They are the unsung heroes in our community.”