Celebrity Pets of the Year Bring a Little Bit of Hollywood to Houston

What: Citizens for Animal Protection “Celebrity Paws Gala”

Where: Royal Sonesta Hotel

PC Moment: The ballroom broke out in riotous cheering and a standing ovation when the frisky black pomeranians LoLo and Lila, belonging to Julie and Brook Brookshire, were announced as Celebrity Pet of the Year winners, that honor earned by raising the most votes, tabulated in dollar contributions.

For the 31st annual fundraiser, themed “Stars Come Out at Night,” Hollywood “stars” welcomed the 600 guests to the ballroom which was decked out in dazzling reds, gold, black, Oscar trophies and elaborate floral arrangements by Darryl & Company.

Joining in the friendly competition with their pets were honorees Ally and Chris Banket, Julie and Brook Brookshire, Cam and Rod Canion, Wendy and Bill Chiles, Jean Durdin and Sharilyn Durdin Lampson, Jill Jopling and Peter McGillivray, Diane and Ken Kiecke, Rebecca Little, Julia and Keith Little, Sara and James Parr, Cody Tinney along with Junior Honorees brothers Sage and Stone Marion. 

Chaired by the glam mother-daughter duo of Brenda Love and Lindsey Love, with Paige and Bob Martin serving as honorary chairs, the evening raised $600,000 for the animal shelter that has cared for more than 500,000 animals since its founding in 1972. CAP executive director emeritus Kappy Muenzer and executive director Sandi Mercado traversed the colorful ballroom, thanking all for their generous support.

Adding to the bottom line were the raffle of the 2018 Subaru Outback Limited, donated by West Houston Subaru, and a wine pull.

Earning various CAP honors were Diane and Jim Mattly, Joy Lee and Steve Smith, Rover Oaks Pet Resort, the Faust Family, Patricia and Sig Cornelius, and Laura Moore and Don Sanders.

Who: Emcee Deborah Duncan, Andy Cordes and Brian Teichman, Melna and Mike Moriarty, Carol and Bill Simmons, Liz and Pete Carragher, Frank DiMaria and Pat Keller, Jackie and Monty Eubank, Linda and Willie Chiang, and Kim and Scott David.