13th Annual Doggie Ball To Benefit The Tri-County Animal Rescue

BOCA RATON, Fla. - Jan. 19, 2015 - PRLog -- It’s that time of year again when hundreds of pet lovers and advocates will don their finest cowboy boots and hats, this time with a patriotic red, white and blue flair at 13^th Annual Doggie Ball on Sunday evening, March 22^nd at Boca West Country Club to benefit the Tri-County Animal Rescue (TCAR), the region’s largest true 100% no-kill 501c (3) nonprofit animal and adoption rescue organization. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with Event Chair Sharon DiPietro and the Doggie Ball committee promising plenty of paw-ty time and ‘fund and fan’ raising with two parties-in-one to save the lives of thousands of abandoned, abused or neglected dogs and cats.

New this year, the event will open with a Bone-Nanza pre-party followed by the western-themed dinner and Doggie Ball festivities that will include dancing to the Jerry Wayne Private Party Band and special guest appearance by female vocalist Kendra Erika, a live auction and presentation of the coveted Jeannette Christos Award. The Bone-Nanza, which will be staged throughout the club environs, flowing with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, a not-to-be-missed expanded silent auction with a Doggie-Cat Couture section, live entertainment by the Speechless Band, a Famous Bone Wall and a special area proudly showcasing some of TCAR's adoptable dogs. A new ‘Reigning Cats and Dogs’ raffle sponsored by Gregory’s Fine Jewelry will give paw-tyers a chance-to-win an original, one-of-a-kind necklace from Gregory’s Fine Jewelry created solely for the 13^th Annual Doggie Ball.

Doggie Ball Honorary Chairs are Lois Pope, Ari Rifkin, Herme de Wyman Miro, Betsy Green and Thomas Salwicz, Andrea Kline and Debra and Jerry Kramer supported by Ambassadors Jay DiPietro and Jerry Kramer.  Encouraging pet lovers to come out this year to support the great work of TCAR are the ‘adorable and adoring’ 2015 “Rescue Set” Grand Marshal: Pomeranian Nili Rifkin, with fellow marshals short haired domestic kitty Blue Pope, Havanese Charlie Kline and Yorkie Cindy Kramer.  Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw will make a celebrity appearance again as Honorary Marshal; Jean Marc Casanave will be the auctioneer for the live auction assisted by KOOL 105.5radio morning show personalities Mo & Sally.

Doggie Ball Chair Sharon DiPietro, reported that proceeds from the annual Doggie Ball, TCAR’s largest annual fundraiser, enables TCAR to continue its life-saving work, including large scale puppy mill and other rescue missions; restoring wholeness on a daily basis to animals in need; providing a safe home; comfort; nutritious food; lots of tender loving care and veterinary treatment until they can be adopted. TCAR operates solely on 100% donations – no city, regional or national government funding -- to fulfill its creed: Rescue is our Mission. Rehabilitation is our Pledge.  Rehome is our Purpose.

TCHS Co-Founder Suzi Goldsmith, who now serves as executive director, shared that heartwarming stories abound at TCAR and funds from the Doggie Ball both save and change lives on so many levels.

“Our compassion for homeless animals has no boundaries,” added Goldsmith. “In addition pulling thousands of pups and felines from ‘high kill’ shelters in Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, our experienced rescue team mobilized for two significant, well-publicized large-scale ‘mission of mercy’ puppy mill rescues in Lake Worth and Tennessee.”

DiPietro applauded the dedication of the TCAR staff, volunteers and advocates who witness first-hand the rough, lonesome road many furry paws have traveled to its doors, not understanding why they’ve been abandoned or surrendered by their owners. “These animals long to be loved and yearn for acts of loving kindness. Their stories and resilient spirits inspire us to help write a new chapter in their lives…one with a happy ‘forever home’ ending!”

Event committee members include Pam Casanave, Amanda Chussler, Jennifer Dardano,Craig Davis, Pam DuBois, Julia Eastman, Gayle Elliott, Terry Fedele, Mary Ann Morgan Fried,Suzi Goldsmith, Sandi Greenblatt, Kerry Greene, Scott Grody, Jon Kaye, Debra Kramer,Shelli Lockhart, Susan P. Merkel, Annette Mesa, Harriet Moskowitz, Orrine Orlando, Neil and Patricia Saffer, Elaine Schachter, Barbara Seward, Barbara Sneider, Laurie Udine and Terry Watkins.

Event tickets are $250 per person and can be purchased online via
http://doggieball2015.eventbrite.com/. Only certified service dogs can be in attendance, and must be pre-registered and approved before event date. For sponsorship opportunities and more event information, call Amanda Chussler at 561-482-8110 or email Amanda@tricountyanimalrescue.com.

Saving lives in Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade and Martin counties and beyond, TCAR has been a protective haven to thousands of abandoned, abused or neglected dogs and cats from other facilities in South Florida, Treasure Coast and as far as Sarasota, Alabama, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Louisiana, the Bahamas and most recently abroad from Istanbul, Turkey. A top-rated animal rescue center not limited to regional borders for large scale rescue efforts, TCAR has rescued more than 50,000 animals since its inception in 1996, offering homeless pets a welcoming forever home, either on campus or through carefully vetted adoptions.

Located at 21287 Boca Rio Road, Boca Raton, Florida 33433, TCAR is open for adoptions five-days-a-week: Tuesday and Thursday through Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information, visit tricountyanimalrescue.com or call 561-482-8110.