Richmond SPCA hosts 27th Annual Fur Ball and raises $846k to treat sick, injured and neonatal homeless animals
The Richmond SPCA’s 27th annual Fur Ball on Saturday evening raised more than $846,000 for the organization’s Cinderella Fund, utilized by the shelter’s veterinary services department to deliver lifesaving treatment and rehabilitation to more than 3,500 pets each year. In 2026, the shelter veterinary team is budgeted to spend more than $1 million to provide crucial medical care to homeless animals in Richmond and those transferred from nearby communities.
“At the Richmond SPCA we strive to deliver the highest standard of care to homeless pets, whether they arrive as sick, injured or orphaned neonatal animals,” said Richmond SPCA CEO Tamsen Kingry. “Because of the immense generosity of the guests, sponsors and friends at tonight’s Fur Ball, our shelter’s veterinary services team can do extraordinary things for the pets who need us most. The Cinderella Fund and the compassionate people who support our mission have significantly changed the quality of life for thousands of pets who go on to find loving homes.”
The gala at The Jefferson Hotel was presented by Moore Subaru of Richmond and attended by 380 guests and more than 20 pets. The event began with cocktails in the hotel’s rotunda, sponsored by The London Company. Pets and their people dressed to impress as they descended the Grand Staircase in the Parade of Pets, sponsored by Holiday Barn Pet Resorts and led by Head of the Pack Michael Hughes and his wife, Charlotte. Participants, including the outgoing Richmond SPCA mascot, Myrtle, were introduced by emcee Greg McQuade of CBS6.
Guests were then seated in the Grand Ballroom for the evening’s presentation of The Ellen Glasgow award, the Richmond SPCA’s highest honor, named for the Pulitzer-Prize-winning author who was president of the organization’s board of directors from 1924 to 1945. This year the award was presented to Laura D. Windsor, esq., a partner at Williams Mullen who has served on the Richmond SPCA’s Board of Directors for 8 years and most recently held the position of Board Chair from 2023-2025. Laura spearheaded the organization’s most recent strategic planning process; championed a significant and purposeful brand refresh; chaired the planning committee for the Dog Jog, 5K and Block Party; contributed countless hours of pro bono legal support; and continues to be an advocate for homeless animals in the Greater Richmond region.
“Laura’s tenure on the board has left an enduring mark on the Richmond SPCA and the thousands of animals we care for each year,” said Kingry. “Her leadership and expertise over the past decade have been instrumental in advancing our mission to provide education and resources to achieve and sustain a no-kill community. Because of Laura’s dedication to our organization, we will move into our next chapter with confidence, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to saving animal lives.”
Next, the Richmond SPCA unveiled its 2025 Cinderella Video, sponsored by the Virginia Sargeant Reynolds Foundation, spotlighting misunderstood bully breeds that are overrepresented in the shelter population and who benefit extensively from the Cinderella Fund to treat the illnesses and injuries with which they arrive at the nonprofit’s humane center.
The evening culminated in the highly anticipated live auction, sponsored by the Law Office of John M. Barr, P.C., raising more than $243,000 for the Cinderella Fund and providing guests with a high-stakes, exciting opportunity to show their commitment to the Richmond SPCA and the homeless pets in need of lifesaving medical treatment. VCU student athletes from the men’s basketball team, Christian Fermin, Brandon Jennings, and from the VCU women’s basketball team, Mary-Anna Asare and Lucy Ghaifan, generated hype around exclusive VCU basketball experiences and mingled with guests throughout the evening. They were joined by new VCU head coach Phil Martelli Jr. and his wife Meghan.
The Irongate Capital Advisors Fur Ball Raffle was open to all and offered five prize packages. Only in-person guests had the option to purchase tickets in the Diamonds Direct 1-in-100 Raffle, in which fewer than 100 tickets were sold for the chance to win their choice of a piece of jewelry valued up to $5,000.
Those attending the event in person and participating from home bid on more than 80 packages in the online auction and made direct gifts to the Cinderella Fund. Those cash donations, or Angel Pledges, were sponsored by ColonialWebb, and brought in $135,000 from 142 donors.
Photos courtesy of Rich Terrell.
