Pawpurrazzi Sparkled with Purr-Fection and Exuberance

In Benefit of the Humane Society of Greater Miami

A fabulous evening and heartwarming experience was had by all of the wonderful animal lovers of Miami who participated in Pawpurrazzi 2016. Dogs’ tails wagged with excitement as they “fetched” their owners for this fabulous event at Jungle Island, chaired by Bone-a-fide Chairpersons, Pat and Milton Wallace, Co-Chairperson, Bunny Bastian and Honorary Chairperson, Penny Stamps. The Treetop Ballroom gleamed with beautiful and vivid South Beach inspired table settings that shimmered with the light of the dazzling chandeliers and exquisite flower arrangements. Five hundred animal loving philanthropists and their four-legged companions enjoyed a delectable gourmet dinner and one-of-a-kind entertainment at this over the top event which raised a notable $600,000 for the more than 400 homeless cats and dogs of the Humane Society of Greater Miami!

The night began with guests and their dogs enjoying a cocktail reception with great hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, thanks to the generous donation from Bacardi, and the four-legged guests enjoying a “pup”tail hour from The Doggie Bag Café. While the dogs indulged in delicious “arf-petizers” and “puptails,” their humans perused the haute couture silent auction organized by Juan Lopez, Vice President and General Manager of Saks Fifth Avenue, Dadeland, Marisa Cisneros Rizzon and Ann Rubino. This exciting silent auction featured items from top designers including Bvlgari, Chanel, David Yurman, Dior, Salvatore Ferragamo, Gucci, Prada, Roberto Coin, Versace, just to name a few. Owners and their dogs also had the chance to visit the photo studio from My Perfect Pet Photography for their photo-op in front of the beautiful Miami skyline to remember the wonderful evening.

Eliott Rodriguez, evening anchor for CBS4, and Cynthia Demos emceed the “Great Pets Who Walk in Front of Great People” show, where 25 exclusive guests strutted their stuff with furry friends, some walking their own pets and others spotlighting adoptable pets from the shelter. Next came a five-star sit-down meal that had the guests raving; but they made sure to leave room for the impressive and fantasy dessert buffet.

Some of the show’s stars and supporters included The Batchelor Foundation; Penny and Roe Stamps; Do Unto Others Trust; Anna Rentz; Stephane Colleu representing dr. brandt® skincare; Yvonne Eldredge and Emily Damiano representing The Victor and Emily D. Damiano Charitable Trust; Joyce and Skip Dickerson; Jacquelyn and Jorge Munilla; Sheila and Frank Kuhl of Coconut Grove Gallery & Interiors; Juan Lopez, Vice President and General Manager of Saks Fifth Avenue, Dadeland; Marisa Cisneros-Rizzon and Marcos Rizzon; Ann and Frank Rubino; Linda and Patrick McEnany; Ruby Bacardi; Nancy Denison; Swanee and Paul DiMare; Mayor and Mrs. Carlos Gimenez; Katherine Fernandez Rundle; Sally Heyman; Lola and Donald Jacobson; DJ and Steve Kerr; Irene Korge; Phillip Levine; Ray Marchman and Joe Siolek; Janner Nicastri; Northern Trust; Alan Potamkin and Dr. Brigitt Rok; Gladys Rustan Hernando; Ryder Charitable Foundation; Nick Studds; Linda and Paul Sugrue; U.S. Trust; Sandy Zankl; just to name a few.

Mark your calendars for the next Pawpurrazzi, scheduled for January 20, 2017. For more information, email laurie@humanesocietymiami.org.