Santa Barbara Humane welcomed almost 300 guests to its Santa Barbara campus recently for Whiskers Under the Moon, a Western-themed gala that raised more than $370,000 for people with pets and pets without people.
The event surpassed its $300,000 fundraising goal by more than $70,000.
Hosting the event on the campus gave guests the opportunity to celebrate close to the
heart of Santa Barbara Humane’s mission, in the very place where animals find safety,
families receive support, and pets and people begin new chapters together, organizers said.
The shelter grounds were transformed for an evening beneath the stars featuring
signature cocktails, a farm-to-table dinner, live music from the Just Dave Band, dancing
and bidding.
For the fourth year, gala attendees competed for the chance to feature their pets in Santa Barbara Humane’s annual calendar.
The calendar has celebrated more than cats and dogs over the years, with turkeys, guinea pigs, and even pet buffalo earning a moment in the spotlight.
“When bidding opened for the coveted December page, friendly competition quickly
became a full-fledged bidding war,” organizers said.
“By the time the final paddle went down, December had sold for an extraordinary $30,000, all to help Santa Barbara Humane care for animals and support the people who love them,” they said.
“What made this night so special wasn’t simply reaching a fundraising goal, but welcoming people onto our campus and allowing them to feel more closely connected to our mission,” said Kerri Burns, Santa Barbara Humane CEO.
“Their generosity means we can be here every day for animals who need a safe place to land and for families who need a little help keeping the pets they love healthy and by their side,” Burns said.
Funds raised through Whiskers Under the Moon support Santa Barbara Humane’s work, including adoption and socially conscious sheltering; affordable dog training; free and low-cost veterinary care; the Pet Food Pantry; and programs designed to keep pets healthy and together with the people who love them, the organization said.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Santa Barbara Humane is the oldest animal welfare agency in
Santa Barbara County, serving the community for more than 139 years.
The organization’s campuses in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria provide affordable veterinary care and dog training, adoption services, and socially conscious sheltering for local animals, whether they are with a family or waiting for a home.
Because Santa Barbara Humane does not receive federal funding, it relies on local donor support to help thousands of animals and families throughout Santa Barbara County each year.
Santa Barbara Humane is an independent organization and is not affiliated
with the Humane Society of the United States or the ASPCA.