• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Animal lovers raise a paw to Humane Society of Sarasota County

Paws on the Catwalk was hosted March 1 at Art Ovation Hotel.


  • By Kayleigh Omang
  • | 1:25 p.m. March 1, 2019
  • Black Tie
  • Share

Dog and cat people alike gathered March 1 at Art Ovation Hotel to support the Humane Society of Sarasota County.

Paws on the Catwalk features pop-up shops, visits with adoptable kittens and puppies, therapy pets, a live auction, paddle raise, chance raffle and a fashion show. The busy morning kept guests entertained throughout the morning with its furry pets and fashion-forward trends. 

While guests coo'ed over the pets and shopped the pop up shops, there were also wine and beer served to get the party started. Afterward, the program began with a lively wine raffle. With a $50 donation, the first 50 to raise their bidder number received a bottle of wine valued between $15 - $150 and two lucky winners received a wine tasting. 

Lunch was served with the mission moment, displaying a video that made animal lovers and rescue pet owners tear up. While wiping their eyes, guests then bid on live auction items and raised their "paw" to donate to the shelter. In all, the luncheon raised over $100,000. 

The morning ended with the fashion show by Influence Style, located on St. Armands circle and on Lakewood Ranch Main Street. The fashions were chic and simplistic. 

An afterparty followed on the Art Ovation's rooftop bar. 

Co-Chairwomen Donna Koffman and Tammy Karp with two adoptable puppies.
Co-Chairwomen Donna Koffman and Tammy Karp with two adoptable puppies.
Teresa Jones, Executive Director Christen Benson, Cindy Kaiser and Karen Johnson
Teresa Jones, Executive Director Christen Benson, Cindy Kaiser and Karen Johnson
There were Tervis tumblers and T-shirts on sale.
There were Tervis tumblers and T-shirts on sale.
Clara Reynardus de Villanueva holds a puppy. Clara took home a puppy at last year's luncheon.
Clara Reynardus de Villanueva holds a puppy. Clara took home a puppy at last year's luncheon.
Clooney is a 5-year-old Collie mix available for adoption.
Clooney is a 5-year-old Collie mix available for adoption.
There were Tervis tumblers and T-shirts on sale.
There were Tervis tumblers and T-shirts on sale.
Elizabeth Rabbitt-Stephen and Lisa Cappiello
Elizabeth Rabbitt-Stephen and Lisa Cappiello
Paint Nail Bar set up a station to paint paw prints on guests' nails.
Paint Nail Bar set up a station to paint paw prints on guests' nails.
Angee Huntley gets her hair done for the fashion show.
Angee Huntley gets her hair done for the fashion show.
The main menu item was a vegetarian eggplant option.
The main menu item was a vegetarian eggplant option.
The tables were decorated with flowers and vintage-style vases.
The tables were decorated with flowers and vintage-style vases.
Kate Ross and Diana Born
Kate Ross and Diana Born
A group of guests pose for a photo with hot guys.
A group of guests pose for a photo with hot guys.
Danielle Lizoffe, Daria Ferreira and Kim Ledesman
Danielle Lizoffe, Daria Ferreira and Kim Ledesman
Jonathan A. Cortez entertained throughout the cocktail hour.
Jonathan A. Cortez entertained throughout the cocktail hour.
Scout & Molly's sold a dog tote.
Scout & Molly's sold a dog tote.
Linda Patzmann and Marina Schmidt
Linda Patzmann and Marina Schmidt
Melissa Howard and Linda Patzmann
Melissa Howard and Linda Patzmann
Kim and Kelly Kane
Kim and Kelly Kane
Jessica Mlavsky takes a photo of Pam Matera and kitty, Tulip.
Jessica Mlavsky takes a photo of Pam Matera and kitty, Tulip.
Carol Bradley, Janet Boyden and Andrea Matter
Carol Bradley, Janet Boyden and Andrea Matter
Sarah, Tammy and Taylor Karp
Sarah, Tammy and Taylor Karp
Tino Tatum, Jeff Maglione and Jesse Perez
Tino Tatum, Jeff Maglione and Jesse Perez
Tomeika Hunter Koski holds her new kitten.
Tomeika Hunter Koski holds her new kitten.
Dar LaForge shows off adoptable Chihuahua mix, Reece.
Dar LaForge shows off adoptable Chihuahua mix, Reece.
Lance the therapy dog rests his head on a guest's leg.
Lance the therapy dog rests his head on a guest's leg.
Shelley Sarbey and Elisabeth Waters
Shelley Sarbey and Elisabeth Waters
Amy Sankes had a Frenchie purse.
Amy Sankes had a Frenchie purse.
Amy Sankes, Erin Christy and Kelly Roberts
Amy Sankes, Erin Christy and Kelly Roberts
A few lucky guests were able to take home a prize from the chance raffle.
A few lucky guests were able to take home a prize from the chance raffle.
Tomeika Hunter Koski and Elizabeth Moore
Tomeika Hunter Koski and Elizabeth Moore
Jonathan Simos and Daria Spina with Tulip
Jonathan Simos and Daria Spina with Tulip
Co-Chairwomen Donna Koffman and Tammy Karp welcome guests to the luncheon.
Co-Chairwomen Donna Koffman and Tammy Karp welcome guests to the luncheon.
Executive Director Christen Benson tells guests about the shelter's mission
Executive Director Christen Benson tells guests about the shelter's mission
The fashion show was put on by Influence Style.
The fashion show was put on by Influence Style.
The fashion show was put on by Influence Style.
The fashion show was put on by Influence Style.
The fashion show was put on by Influence Style.
The fashion show was put on by Influence Style.
The fashion show was put on by Influence Style.
The fashion show was put on by Influence Style.
The fashion show was put on by Influence Style.
The fashion show was put on by Influence Style.
The fashion show was put on by Influence Style.
The fashion show was put on by Influence Style.
The fashion show was put on by Influence Style.
The fashion show was put on by Influence Style.
The fashion show was put on by Influence Style.
The fashion show was put on by Influence Style.
The fashion show was put on by Influence Style.
The fashion show was put on by Influence Style.
The fashion show was put on by Influence Style.
The fashion show was put on by Influence Style.
The fashion show was put on by Influence Style.
The fashion show was put on by Influence Style.
The fashion show was put on by Influence Style.
The fashion show was put on by Influence Style.
The fashion show was put on by Influence Style.
The fashion show was put on by Influence Style.
The fashion show was put on by Influence Style.
The fashion show was put on by Influence Style.
The fashion show was put on by Influence Style.
The fashion show was put on by Influence Style.
The fashion show was put on by Influence Style.
The fashion show was put on by Influence Style.
The fashion show was put on by Influence Style.
The fashion show was put on by Influence Style.
The fashion show was put on by Influence Style.
The fashion show was put on by Influence Style.
The dessert was a red velvet cupcake with a chocolate paw print.
The dessert was a red velvet cupcake with a chocolate paw print.
The lucky grand prize winner won a trip to Colorado.
The lucky grand prize winner won a trip to Colorado.

 

Latest News

Sarasota City Attorney Joe Polzak and City Auditor and Clerk Shayla Griggs during a meeting of the Sarasota City Commission.
  • December 5, 2025
Sarasota charter official evaluations begin this month
You'd better watch out: Tow-away zones set for Sarasota holiday parade
  • December 4, 2025
You'd better watch out: Tow-away zones set for Sarasota holiday parade
A satellite image of Hurricane Irma.
  • December 4, 2025
Hurricane season ends without Florida landfall
Sarasota Police Department personnel monitor Sarasota's network of cameras, license plate readers, gunshot detectors and other devices in the nearly completed Real-Time Operations Center.
  • December 4, 2025
SPD set to grow its city camera system

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Black Tie

Bill and Robyn Sadlo, Barb and Jay Lancer and Marjolaine and Steve Townsend
  • November 23, 2025
Boys and Girls Clubs' Champions for Children honors Baranciks' legacy
Kristin Morton, John Grady Burns, Pat Mudgett and Kellie Menke
  • November 21, 2025
Founders Garden Club welcomes celebrity floral designer to annual luncheon
Troy Turner and Resilient Retreat founder Dr. Sidney Turner
  • November 17, 2025
Resilient Retreat transports guests to the Mediterranean
Marie Monsky and Marvin Kadesh
  • November 17, 2025
Brunch plays a note to raise money for Sarasota Youth Orchestra
Raleigh Mosely, Donald Frison, Founder and Artistic Director Nate Jacobs and Jazzmin Carson
  • November 17, 2025
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe shows off its heart and soul at fall gala
Keep calm and party on: Co-Chairs Renee Phinney, Lauren Dixon, Lauren Wohlwend and Allison Imre along with event planner Minta Getzen (center) make sure that every detail of Wine, Women & Shoes is handled with the utmost care.
  • November 15, 2025
Wine, Women & Shoes steps up in support of Forty Carrots Family Center

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2025 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now