Humane Animal Rescue to host 'A Very Burgh Paws Party' virtual gala

Our furry friends will be the center of attention at Humane Animal Rescue’s upcoming virtual gala.

The Oct. 22 event, dubbed “A Very Burgh Paws Party,” will replace Humane Animal Rescue’s annual gala, which was nixed during the pandemic. The gala typically draws over 400 people, according to Dan Rossi, CEO of Humane Animal Rescue.

“Our gala is really a celebration of pets and the pets in our lives,” Rossi said. “We are going off the ’70s theme, loosely related to ‘The Brady Bunch.’ The show’s opening scene had various squares, sort of like Zoom meetings are now. That’s how we’re going to be set up with our virtual gala. We’ll have a variety of squares up there with people and their pets.”

This year, Rossi said, pets have been extra important.

“We really thought about covid and how people have gotten through it — and a lot of the focus has been with pets,” he said. Adoption numbers have gone up, he said, likely because people want pets as they find themselves spending more time at home.

Cynthia Hundorfean, president and CEO of Allegheny Health Network, will chair the event with Bill Flanagan, chief corporate relations officer for the Allegheny Conference on Community Development. Flanagan’s dogs, Hunter and Duke, will star at the gala, too.

Rossi also promised surprise appearances from Pittsburgh celebrities.

Because the gala will be hosted virtually this year, Rossi said, there will be no entrance fee. He said he’s hoping for at least 400 participants.

Humane Animal Rescue will be accepting donations online during the gala.

There will also be a silent auction online. Some auction items are animal-themed, while others cater to the humans, Rossi said. Auction items include golf outings, trips, hotel stays and wine baskets.

“We are hoping to bring in around $400,000 this year,” Rossi said.

Corporate and individual sponsors have already supported the event, he said. While Rossi acknowledged that the covid-19 pandemic and the resulting economic fallout may make it hard for some people to donate, he said the organization appreciates anything people can give.

“The smallest donation really makes a difference to us,” Rossi said. “Whether you can give $5 or $500, your donations really matter to us.”

Donations can help with the costs of preparing animals for adoption, low-cost spay and neuter programs, and other initiatives the organization spearheads.

But the gala isn’t just about the money, Rossi said. It’s also an opportunity to educate people on the work Humane Animal Rescue does.

While Humane Animal Rescue is best known for adoption Services, Rossi emphasized that their work is wide-ranging. The organization has clinics for pet vaccines and exams, low-cost spay and neuter services, and a pet food pantry program. They also operate a wildlife rehabilitation center in Verona. Humane Animal Rescue is one of Pennsylvania’s largest animal welfare organizations, providing services to tens of thousands of animals every year.

For more information on how to access the event or make a donation, visit the Humane Animal Rescue website.