Curated Texan
All Creatures Great And Small Gather For An Evening Of Festive Support For Pets
By Cynthia Smoot Photography by Thomas Garza and SPCA of Texas
and Clay Cooley
and Randy Pruitt
THE SETTING: More than 450 “best friends” of the SPCA of Texas gathered at the Frontiers of Flight Museum for Fur Ball 2024: You’re My Best Friend. Presented by Nancy C. and Richard R. Rogers, the night held surprises galore and the chance for friends, old and new, to share their mutual love and compassion for vulnerable animals. The evening was imagined by the dynamic duo of event planners, Steve Kemble and Hamilton A. Sneed of HAS Events.
and Chris Luna
& Phillip and Holly Huffines
The Cuddle Zone, sponsored by VCA Animal Hospitals, was the first thing guests encountered and offered adorable puppies for guests to hold and pamper during the cocktail hour. Partygoers also bid on a bounty of silent auction items, sipped on tasty beverages thanks to Ben E. Keith, and snacked on passed treats. A fun photo booth captured the moment, and a watercolor artist painted pets for patrons.
THE VIBE: One remarkable highlight of the gala was a giant hot air balloon comprising hundreds of purple balloons of all shades and sparkling, multi-pointed stars! It flew a whimsical cat and dog high above a circular bar in the middle of the room. Emcee Bryan Curtis, NBC 5 News Anchor, walked on stage holding an adorable puppy, reminding guests that it is through their generosity that the SPCA of Texas can rescue mama dogs and their puppies, care for them, and find them happy, love-filled homes. And he thanked everyone for their continued generosity.
Alicia and Alan Skinner
As the evening began, Katy and Lawrence Bock, the event’s chairs, welcomed notable attendees, including Kristin Hallam, Nancy C. Rogers, Dr. Elba Garcia, Holly and Phillip Huffines, Paul and Cathy Brown, Steve Atkinson and Ted Kincaid, Dr. Richard Gray and Marsha Pendleton-Gray, Mary and Arnold Spencer, Whitney Eichinger, and Courtney and Brandon Roane.
THE NON-PROFIT: The paddle raise kicked off with a $50K challenge match thanks to the Roberta Wright Reeves Trust and the event netted more than $490,000. Fur Ball is DFW’s salute to the bond between people and their pets and a celebration of the SPCA of Texas’ important mission to provide every animal exceptional care and loving homes. All money raised through Fur Ball 2024 will go directly to the SPCA of Texas to help rescue, heal, and find homes for thousands of animals.
