Record-shattering $1 million raised at 28th Annual Fur Ball

The Richmond SPCA hit a milestone fundraising goal at the 28th annual Fur Ball on Saturday evening. The organization raised over $1,025,000 for its Cinderella Fund, utilized by the shelter veterinary services department to deliver lifesaving treatment and rehabilitation to thousands of homeless pets each year. In 2027, the Richmond SPCA is budgeted to spend more than $1 million to provide critical medical care to the pets it shelters, the majority of whom it transfers to its facility from government shelters across the state.

“A serious illness, an injury or a fragile start in life should never put a loving future out of reach,” said Richmond SPCA CEO Tamsen Kingry. “Tonight’s record-breaking $1 million is an extraordinary expression of our community’s compassion. We are deeply grateful to our Fur Ball guests, sponsors and friends, whose generosity gives our veterinary team the resources to say yes to challenging medical cases and provide expert care to sick, injured and orphaned neonatal pets. Through the Cinderella Fund, our community has already helped thousands of animals live more comfortably and find loving homes. This historic support will give more pets that same chance and help us be ready when they need us most.”

The gala at The Jefferson Hotel was presented by Moore Subaru of Richmond and attended by 380 guests and 23 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, Irving, were introduced by emcee Candice Smith of 12onYourSide. 

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 Deborah Rider Allen, a generous philanthropist, adopter, and tireless volunteer. 

“Debbie is an adopter, benefactor, and all-around champion whose life and generous spirit reflect our motto: compassion unleashed,” said Kingry. “For nearly 15 years, Debbie has been an ardent supporter willing to take on any task, big or small. She has walked dogs, led orientations, stuffed swag bags, folded endless piles of laundry, washed dishes, and even deep-cleaned quarantine kennels for a litter of 12 puppies. We are endlessly lucky to have Debbie’s support.”

Following dinner, presented by Best Friends Animal Society, the Richmond SPCA unveiled its Cinderella Pet video, sponsored by the Virginia Sargeant Reynolds Foundation, spotlighting senior pets and the challenges they face as they grow older.  Every dollar raised for the Cinderella Fund allows the Richmond SPCA’s veterinary team to run the extra tests and provide preventative care to keep pets healthy longer, treating seniors, and all animals, with dignity and compassion. 

The evening culminated in the highly-anticipated live auction, sponsored by the Law Office of John M. Barr, P.C., raising nearly $300,000 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.  The Irongate Capital Advisors Fur Ball Raffle is open to all and offers six prize packages. In-person guests had the option to purchase tickets in the Diamonds Direct 1-in-100 Raffle, in which 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 90 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 more than $280,000 from more than 120 donors. 

Images by Rich Terrell, Nicole Anne Photography, and Wilber Arias.