Animal Rescue Coalition hosted its Unconditional Love Gala on Feb. 24.
By
Kayleigh Omang
| 8:04 p.m. February 24, 2018
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Cue the oohs and awws at the Unconditional Love Gala for special guests, Jewels, Wrigley and YankeeÂ
The gala, supporting the Animal Rescue Coalition, was hosted on Feb. 24 at Michael's On East. Guests mingled, sipped drinks and held puppies while bidding on pet-themed silent auction items.Â
The live auction following dinner had a special item for pet lovers: a spay/neuter month. For this item, the winner would have their pet featured on all the promotional materials for the month's spay/neuter campaign.Â
Shelley Sarbey, Co-Chairwomen Melissa Howard and Renee Preininger, Board Chair Joanna Pace and Executive Director Mary Dietterle
India and Bruce Lesser, holding a photo of their husky, Thor.
Each of the centerpieces featured a different rescue pet.
The paddles for the paddle raise were shaped like bones and hearts.
Bruce Lesser
Last year, ARC was able to perform nearly 5000 spay and neuter surgeries.
Ava Whaley and Karen Fleming
The ARC works with 27 local animal rescue organizations to provide spay and neuter surgeries.
The photobooth had animal prop items, such as these cat ears.
Traci and Mike Smullen
Peter and Marilyn Lane
Eric Barron and Victoria Gonzales
Co-Chairwoman Melissa Howard gives kisses to Wrigley.
Wrigley is one out of 11 puppies available for adoption at Nate's Honor Animal Rescue.
Scott Bush and Katrina McAndrew
Katie Saunders and Mary Gratehouse
Rick and Donna Espino
Jim and Kate Liddell, Mary Budd and Walt and Barbara Carey
Mary Budd sports her favorite cat dress to honor her four kitties, Moonlight, Mr. Nosey, SaraJane and Pepper.
Ginny and Warren Kepp
Julie Crews
Julie Crews and Liz Bentley
Jake Wojenski and Kerry Hempel
Ruth Rojas and Donna Koffman
Alexis Rosenberg and Jeanne Paulus
Madeline Young wears her Laurel Burch cat purse.
Tatyana Stewert
Jewels, a 2-year-old dog, is available for adoption through Sarasota Sheriff's Office Animal Services.
Silent auction items centered around the pet theme.
