The Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation’s Furevermore Auction & Gala kicked off in a new location this year but with the same goal in mind – to raise critical funds for Seattle’s pets in need. More than 300 attendees plus volunteers, SAS staff, and generous sponsors gathered at Fremont Studios on Saturday, October 21 and raised a record-breaking $250,000 for the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation (SASF) to fund animal welfare programs at the Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS).
Spirits and anticipation were high as guests arrived. Once inside, they put on their best face as they stopped to strike a pose at the step and repeat and entered the swanky silent auction and cocktail area – where all the fun and good energy was flowing!
As the cocktail hour began, guests were greeted with passed spirits and bites– the perfect setting for a private viewing of the sleek and sophisticated all-electric Audi Q4 e-tron from Bone-a-Fide Partner, Your Pacific Northwest Audi Dealers. The vibing live music by Marina and the Dreamboats had everyone tapping their paws.
Many unique silent auction items were on display with some very competitive (but always friendly!) bidding wars. A few highlights included a hot tub boat excursion on South Lake Union, the Ultimate Dick’s Drive-In Package, Bledsoe McDaniel’s Wine and Wine Tasting, as well as the exclusive debut of the 2023 Limited Edition Pawcasso Collection – painted with love by some SAS’s finest adoptable pups, and many more!
The SAS adoptable kitten tents drew a crowd, as did the return of the popular You As An Animal portrait artist, Michelle Lassaline, who painted guests as whimsical creatures of their choosing! Guests also enjoyed a life-size dog house photo booth (including many fun props!) and an open bar featuring the evening’s signature Meow Meow Mule, wine, bubbles and other generous in-kind donations from XOBC Cellars, Georgetown Brewing, and Jones Soda to help get the pawty started.
As the silent bids wound down, our Furevermore hosts called everyone into the large dining room illuminated by a massive wall-to-wall screen featuring adoptable pets throughout the night. Dinner was kicked off by our wonderful emcee and Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation Vice President Tracy Taylor Turner, Auction Co-Chairs Mindy Fitzgerald and Lacy Bell, followed by heartfelt thanks given by SASF President Alex Clarke, and Seattle Animal Shelter Director Esteban Rodriguez.
“It was a magical night with infectious energy and love for the animals. It really was the best mix of humans – from our committed and generous donors and volunteers who give their whole hearts to our incredible auction committee (Dorothy Gorman, Josh Herrington, and Justin Taft) who were invaluable champions and doers for the event, as well SASF board members who supported the event. I’m proud to work alongside everyone involved and am so appreciative of our generous animal loving community. The funds raised will ensure SASF can continue to enhance critical programs at SAS and provide all the animals their Best Chance at a healthy, safe, and happy life. I am grateful to you all, Furevermore! Until next year!”
Mindy Fitzgerald, SASF Board Member and Auction Co-Chair
“Furevermore 2023 was truly a celebration of the Seattle Animal Shelter community! I love that so many volunteers, staff, long-time donors, and new supporters were all able to enjoy the evening’s festivities while generously giving to provide the Best Chance for so many of the animals that are in need right now. The mission of the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation resonates with everyone making Furevermore not just another request but an event that is highly anticipated! Plus, kittens and the appearance by Koa the Shar Pei mix made this year unforgettable!”
Lacy Bell, SASF Board Member and Auction Co-Chair
Then on to the amazing live auction! Energetic auctioneer Joel Schenfeld and the ever-entertaining emcee, Tracy Taylor, presented live auction items including unique local experiences like a one of a kind cocktail reception and dinner at the exclusive Smith Tower Penthouse (donated by a very generous SAS volunteer!), a private wine cellar dinner for ten at Ethan Stowell’s Staple & Fancy, and a trip to soak up Italy with friends Under the Tuscan Sun. In addition to the big screen, every table featured an adoptable pet display complete with a description, photo, and QR code to learn more about each animal.
In addition to the animals on display looking for their furever homes, one pup star of the show was SAS foster dog Koa, who made a surprise appearance on stage with her foster parent. She and her foster parents enjoyed a well-deserved night out on the town! This amazing Shar-Pei Mix is available for adoption here. And to learn more about foster an incredible pet like Koa here.
During the 2023 SASF Fund-A-Need portion of the evening, guests watched an inspiring video narrated by SAS Foster Coordinator Sagan Lain, about their new position that was funded by last year’s Furevermore Fund-A-Need. Sagan shared how they have been able to improve the fostering experience which helps volunteers, adopters, and shelter pets.
Next was a video about SAS’s new Best Chance Program. For the Fund-A-Need this year, guests were encouraged to raise their paddles to support this critical program that will provide veterinary access and education to keep pets safe with their families in historically underserved communities. The Best Chance Program will give pets their best chance at living healthy lives by establishing accessible wellness and vaccine clinics. It will also give pets and their owners their best chance at a healthy human-pet bond by providing necessary pet supplies including pet food, crates, leashes, collars, and more. Its primary goal is to keep more animals with their owners and out of the shelter – creating space for animals that truly need to be there.
Closing the night was the always-amusing Dessert Dash. Each table and its guests had a chance to be the highest bidders for their place in line to select and then share one of a wide variety of exquisite desserts donated by a selection of Seattle’s most talented bakers and bakeries.
Highlight photos from the evening below. See hundreds more in our Furevermore Photo Album on Facebook (you must be logged in to Facebook to see the album) and watch Furevermore Instagram story highlights here.
Thank you!
Supporters helped raise a record $250,000 by the end of this memorable night. We are beyond thrilled and grateful for these donations to further enhance Seattle Animal Shelter programs and enrich the lives of Seattle’s pets! To our donors, sponsors, and volunteers – we could not do this without you. Your commitment and generosity for the animals is overwhelming.
Special thanks to the 2023 Furevermore Auction & Gala sponsors! Your support and commitment to the cause are paramount to our success and ability to continue to fund critical programs at SAS. We hope to see you all again next year for another successful event!
Bone-a-Fide Partner:
Your Pacific Northwest Audi Dealers audiusa.com
Furry Friend Sponsors:
Clark Nuber PS clarknuber.com
Duvall Veterinary Hospital duvallvet.com
Just Food For Dogs justfoodfordogs.com
Lazy Dog Crazy Dog lazydogcrazydog.com
Model Remodel modelremodel.com
Seattle Veterinary Associates seattlevetassoc.com
Shoen’s Pet Adventures shoenspetadventures.com
Umpqua Bank umpquabank.com
Veterinary Emergency Group veterinaryemergencygroup.com
IN-Kind SPonsors:
Georgetown Brewing georgetownbeer.com
Jones Soda jonessoda.com
Julie Austin Pet Photography Experiences jaustinphotography.com
XOBC Cellars xobccellars.com
Dessert dash donors:
Bakery Nouveau
Bell’s Cookie Co
Ben’s Bread Company
Cait’s Bakes
Cake it Nice
Columbia City Bakery
Cookies with Tiffany
Dough by Moon
Kaspar’s Catering
Little Free Bakery Ballard
Macrina Bakery
Madison Park Bakery
Megan Nadan
Metropolitan Market (Magnolia)
Nothing Bundt Cakes, Bellevue
Pie Love Seattle
Raised Doughnuts and Cakes
Rosellini’s Fine Cakes & Baked Goods
Sea Wolf Bakers
The Collection Bakery
The Confectional
The Essential Baking Company
The Sweet Stuff Bakery & Confections by Gwen Feher
Wallflour Cake Studio
Funds raised at the Furevermore Auction & Gala allow us to continue supporting animal welfare enhancing programs for pets at the Seattle Animal Shelter and in our community.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, subscribe to our email newsletter, and return to this website for updates on how the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation is improving the lives of our most vulnerable pets.