On Sunday, February 15th, Humane Society of the Treasure Coast hosted their annual Paws & Claws Gala which was held at the beautiful Mariner Sands Country Club in Stuart, Florida.  This year's event raised over $190,000 to benefit the 6,000+ pets that are brought to the shelter annually.

In these tumultuous times, non-profits are thankful for all the support they receive from donors, volunteers and the community. Please enjoy these photos of this spectacular event. 

The dogs and cats of the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast are mutts-obliged! 

    Solid Gold performs during the Gala. Featured is Jackie Ranaldo, Community Events Coordinator of Humane Society of the Treasure Coast, belting it out!

      Mark Warren, President of Pethealth, with Julia Valente, wife of Frank Valente, President/CEO of Humane Society of the Treasure Coast        

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Valente Sr.

Julia Valente and Mary Bart Houston

Ladies working the silent auction

The Belle of the Ball, Mark Warren, with the cigar gals, Sara Kyle and Kathryn Diehl! 

It just goes to show that when people come together for the good of pets great things happen.  J&J's Homeless Pets from Washington, NC partnered with Lab Rescue of North Carolina and Paws4Rescue based out of New England to help save these pups and their mom.  Prior to ending up with J&J's Homeless Pets their future was uncertain. 

With the help of a pilot, all pups and mom were flown to Washington, DC where they will be in foster care until they are available for adoption. 

If you have a story to share let me know at marybarth@pethealthservices.com.

-Mary Bart Houston, Regional Directo National Shelter Outreach & Host of PetPoint Community

Is your shelter using PetPoint's latest feature- the adoptable search?  If not, you should be! 

The adoptable search feature enables real time updates, meaning when a pet is available for adoption it is instantly added to your adoptable pet page. Similarly, when a pet is adopted PetPoint ensures that it is immediately removed from your adoptable search; potential adopters are always kept up to the minute regarding available pets at your shelter. PetPoint's adoptable search also ensures that visitors to your site stay remain on your site, they are not re-routed!

Please view the provided attachment; it contains useful information regarding the layout and format of PetPoint's new Adoptable Search.

PetPoint's Adoptable Search can be viewed through Atlanta Humane Society's website:

http://www.atlantahumane.org/adoption/adopt-pet-dog.htm

The adoptable search is maintenance free and no charge to your organization. It really helps you, staff and potential adopters see your most current pets that are available. 

For more information contact: the Outreach Team, helpdesk, or me! 

Mary Bart Houston, Host of PetPoint Community; marybarth@pethealthservices.com

How cool is it that Barfly Mickey Rourke not only received the Best Actor nod at the Golden Globes but also thanked his dogs past and present for being there for him.  I was enamoured to say the least.  He was quoted saying in Rolling Stones some years back (I'm improvising) that his dogs kept him going and that they were his true friends.  It's amazing when a man is down and out the only thing that kept him going is his dogs...  I'm sure some other recreational activities did too but you can't deny that he loves his dogs.  His Chihuahua Loki is 17 1/2 years young and he hopes- knocking on wood- she'll be around for a little while longer. 

Dogs provide unconditional love, no attitude, and no facade.  They love and that's it. 

I find it absolutely alarming and unsettling that in this day and time we still have animal shelters using gas chambers as opposed to humane euthanasia by injection.  What can we do to make this change?  How can we help?  Any ideas, information would be greatly appreciated. 

Mary Bart Houston, Host of PetPoint Community