by contributor Wendy Gordon
Photo credit: Rich Kessler
The dog days of winter returned last Wednesday evening as a huge crowd gathered for the annual 2014 Sugar & Champagne Affair to benefit The Washington Humane Society at the Ronald Reagan Building. The event honors our local animal crusaders while raising critical funds to help care for the homeless pet population in our nation’s capital.
Amanda Polk and Scott Thuman
Hosts Chef Todd Gray and Ellen Kassoff Gray (Equinox, Muse at the Corcoran Gallery of Art and Salamander Resort & Spa) kicked off the event in a VIP Chefs’ Tasting Room with an exclusive savory gathering where exquisite samplings of hors d’oeuvres were prepared by some of the finest chefs in the area, while the most talented pastry chefs dazzled with visionary works of edible art, gorgeous gourmet desserts, champagne, and of course fine sparkling wines.
Tommy McFly (94.7 Fresh FM Radio) returned as Emcee to keep the festivities flowing with the Cake Challenge, in which select Pastry Chefs displayed unique creations and while guests voted for their favorite.
Tommy McFly
As is every year, the highlight of the evening was not the human fashion, but the doggy duds were. Where else can man’s best friend rock everything from mini tuxedos to neon spray painted fur?
The WHS Animal Care and Control department (ACC) is responsible for providing Animal Control Services for the District of Columbia under a contract with the DC Department of Health. The team includes Officers, Investigators, Dispatchers, a Wildlife Specialist, and a Director. ACC Officers and Investigators respond to over a 1,000 calls for assistance each month that can vary from a dog running loose, wildlife in distress, bite investigations, to a sick or injured animal – last year they responded to more than 14,000 calls. ACC is available to help animals 24 hours a day, seven days a week, regardless of weather, time of day or night, or the species of animal.
In the last year…
Animal Control & Control Officers responded to more than 14,000 calls.
Humane Law Enforcement Officers observed more than 3,000 animals.
Humane Education reached almost 3,000 students through school, community, volunteer and intern programs.
WHS provided over 7,000 low-cost spay & neuter procedures, 2,000 of which were for community cats. Nearly 3,000 homeless DC animals were adopted into new homes. Through their programs and services WHS touches the lives of more than 43,000 animals every year through a broad range of programs and services including, but not limited to: Adoptions, Animal Care & Control, Humane Law Enforcement, Humane Education, and Spay & Neuter. More information about the services, programs and events can be found on the website.
