The Santa Barbara County Animal Care Foundation hosted its second annual Tails of Hope fundraiser Sunday at Rancho La Patera & Stow House in Goleta. The event brought together animal lovers, community members, advocates, volunteers and celebrity guests to raise money for animals served by Santa Barbara County Animal Services.

The foundation held its first Tails of Hope in 2025. More than 300 people attended the event, and the strong response of community interest brought the fundraiser back for a second year. The afternoon featured food, drinks, entertainment, rescue partners, and plenty of four-legged friends looking for their forever homes. 

Guests also had the opportunity to bid on items in a silent auction featuring culinary experiences, vacation destinations, festival passes, wine and interior décor. Auctioneer Jim Nye returned to lead the live auction, joined by animal advocates Bo Derek and Animal Planet’s Shorty Rossi. While the auctions provided an opportunity to raise funds, the purpose of Tails of Hope goes beyond an entertaining afternoon. 

For Linda Greco, a co-founder of the Santa Barbara County Animal Care Foundation, the fundraiser represents a larger effort to make sure animals entering the county shelter have access to the care they need.

“Unadoptable animals were animals that needed resources,” Greco said. “These resources require money — money for surgeries, lab work, behavioral training and being seen by a veterinarian.”

The foundation, she said, keeps track of the community’s animal-welfare needs and works alongside Animal Services to identify where additional support can make the greatest difference.

“We keep the fingers on the pulse, I call it, of our animal needs in the community, working alongside Animal Services,” she said.

According to Greco, the success of Tails of Hope ultimately depends on the people who show up to support the cause.

“The individuals that are here are animal lovers, animal advocates, community leaders, and they all truly want to improve these animals’ lives, which is so special,” she said.

That deep community dedication is precisely what draws supporters back year after year.

For Derek, an actress and model who served as an announcer at the event, the cause is personal. Derek and her husband, actor John Corbett, have adopted two German shepherds, Luke and Ringo, through the shelter, as well as Bear, a 110-pound German shepherd adopted from New Mexico.

Derek said they were inspired to get involved after being impressed by the shelter and its volunteers.

“We just had this feeling that we wanted to support them in any way we could,” Derek said.

Beyond celebrating the animals themselves, Derek said she was especially grateful for the people who work behind the scenes to give them a second chance.

“It’s a privilege to be able to thank the people who volunteer,” she said. “They’re so impressive, and I really enjoy being able to speak with them and thank them personally for everything they do.”

As the afternoon came to a close at the historic Goleta property, Tails of Hope served as a reminder of what is possible when a community leads with compassion. Every ticket purchased, bid placed and voice raised brings vulnerable shelter animals one step closer to the safe, loving futures they deserve.

See more photos from the event by clicking through the slideshow below.