With tickets sold out, 300 animal-loving guests poured into The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota on April 11 in support of the Humane Society of Sarasota County.
The annual PAWS event has a mission to raise the critical funds necessary for shelter, medical care, food and enrichment activities for more than 3,000 animals served annually.
Channeling Tom Cruise's Ethan Hunt character from the Mission Impossible franchise, the HSSC's team of co-chairs, event planners, volunteers and staff used stealth and wit to successfully orchestrate their 2025 theme: "Mission Pawssible." If there was any doubt that the heartstrings of all guests would not be tugged on, ample supplies of tiny puppies and kittens were available for snuggles.
Guests were greeted with champagne and black sunglasses. Vendors were also in supply as guests enjoyed the pre-lunch hour by shopping, mingling, snuggling with animals and enjoying entertainment.
Liebe Gamble and Caryn Wilbraham co-chaired the annual event, which provides an opportunity to support the lifesaving work of HSSC.
Nicole Radomski with Trooper, Shelby Welch with Freckles and Natalie Tilton with Rusty. These pit-mix pups are waiting to find their forever families.
Photo by Janet Combs
Teresa Jones, CEO Anna Gonce and Molly Ferguson
Photo by Janet Combs
Mission Pawssible co-chair Liebe Gamble with board President Janet Boyden
Photo by Janet Combs
Kim and Jonathan Reed with their rescue pups Tucker and Jack.
Photo by Janet Combs
Paula Horne rescued 6-year old Luca the greyhound from Ireland.
Photo by Janet Combs
Volunteers Elaine Edging and Rebecca Coles check in some 300 guests at the Mission Pawssible event held for the Humane Society of Sarasota County.
Photo by Janet Combs
HSSC Cat Lead is Tanya Kopp who is photographed with volunteer Karen Owens and a couple of cool kitties.
Photo by Janet Combs
Rachel McDowell and one of the tiny kittens who are stealing hearts at the Mission Pawssible Luncheon on April 11.
Photo by Janet Combs
Shouldn't all cool cats be posed on a motorcycle?
Photo by Janet Combs
As guests enter the Mission Pawssible event at the Ritz they collect black shades from Amy Fulton, Yasmeen Malik, Pamela Parrino and Chris Fulton.
Photo by Janet Combs
Mary Jones with her Irish wolfhound Al, and Cori and Harald Hvideberg.
Photo by Janet Combs
Tammy and Michael Cervone with Jenn Poppen
Photo by Janet Combs
Bill Buckingham with artist Marie Therese Lacroix
Photo by Janet Combs
Cat whiskers and splits performed by dancer Kalia Early.
Photo by Janet Combs
Michael E. Jaspan and Medge Jaspan
Photo by Janet Combs
Sawyer is 9 and dons a doggie-tuxedo at the Mission Pawssible event held on behalf of the Humane Society of Sarasota County.
Photo by Janet Combs
Together with Tom Cruise are Rita Holder, Teresa Jones, Pennie Hodges, Samantha Jennen, Vicki Thompson and Elizabeth Seymour.
Photo by Janet Combs
The Humane Society of Sarasota County held a themed luncheon titled Mission Pawssible at the Ritz-Carlton. Sarasota on April 11 with 300 guests in attendance.
Photo by Janet Combs
Mission Pawssible co-chairs are Liebe Gamble and Caryn Wilbraham
Photo by Janet Combs
Secret agents Therese Johnson, Andrea Giovanni and Nikki Rupp whet appetites with some precious jewels before the luncheon.
Photo by Janet Combs
Amber Slay, Sarah Affainie, Makayla Lane and Jiliana Christine from Sarasota Contemporary Dance pull double duty as secret agents.
Photo by Janet Combs
Jenny and Rusty Hammer
Photo by Janet Combs
Tim and Trish McDonald toast to the Humane Society efforts at the Mission Pawssible fundraiser luncheon.
Photo by Janet Combs
Katie Walters with 5-year-old Sid.
Photo by Janet Combs
Maureen Rogers, Amy Wenzel, Ian Wilbraham and Sid the black Lab rescue.
Photo by Janet Combs
Pam Drake, Darlene Zdenek, Pat Boyer and Darlene LaForge celebrate the Humane Society.
Photo by Janet Combs
Brian Hyde, Pat Cullen and Joe Fiorello
Photo by Janet Combs
Sania Allen, Debbie Maltese, Elisabeth Waters, Roxanne Permesly holding Walter the Afghan and Vanessa Opstal
Photo by Janet Combs
Tracy and Kim Klay
Photo by Janet Combs
The Salvatore family: Austin, Ty, Iryna, Lucas and Ivy who donated this e-bike.
Photo by Janet Combs
Melinda Foster and Michele Baker
Photo by Janet Combs
David and Dena Grubb, Melissa and Brad Lerner and Susan Jarvis
Photo by Janet Combs
Zach and Courtney Jekonski
Photo by Janet Combs
Linda Watterworth, Kat Wierda, Stefanie Rossnagle and Chandra Lambiase
Photo by Janet Combs
Elizabeth Olguin snuggles with an irresistible kitten at the Mission Pawssible luncheon on April 11.
