Houston’s Celebrity Pets of the Year Draw Plenty of Frisky Admirers: A Four Legged Night Raises a Whopping $650,000

What: Citizens for Animal Protection Celebrity Paws Gala

Where: The Royal Sonesta Hotel

PC Moment: The oh-so-pretty Frances Moody was one proud lady as her pups, Buddy and Nobel, were crowned Celebrity Pets of the Year at the 33rd annual gala in which pets compete to see which can raise the most funds for CAP. Earning a respectable second place was Hallie Vanderhider, who escorted shelter dog Ling Ling.

And, yes, as is tradition, the ballroom was crawling with frisky pooches while the kitties in the mix remained in the arms of their forever owners. Two special four-legged guests were Lux and Humphrey, accelerant detection K-9s from the Houston Fire Department’s arson bureau.

Chairs Julie and Brook Brookshire and co-chairs Carol and Bill Simmons were over the moon with the evening that raised $650,000.

Joining the competition with their pets were Holly and Austin Alvis, Meghan Cornelius and Brenton Southern, Liz Markell, Evelyn and Steve Quick, Jennifer and Ernest Sotuyo, Kendall and Brian Wilbanks, Noel and Scott Wise and rising star honoree Charles Padgett.

It was an all-around happy night with popular meteorologist Frank Billingsley serving as emcee, Cora Sue and Harry Mach as honorary chairs, Hershey Grace and Deborah Duncan entering the Celebrity Paws Hall of Fame. The Melcher Humanitarian of the Year Award went to Gregory Miller, the CAP Cherished Companion Award to Connie Cortopassi, the Heart of Gold Award to Susan and Dan Boggio and the Share the Love Award to Michelle Mantor.

Highlight of the night for one lucky individual came with announcement of the raffle winner. Kim Fleeman got to drive home in a 2019 Subaru Crosstrek, donated by West Houston Subaru.

PC Seen: CAP executive director emeritus Kappy Muenzer, executive director Sandi Mercado, Gloria and Frank Meszaros, Andy Cordes and Brian Teichman, Gregory Miller, Patricia and Sig Cornelius, Nancy and Franco Valobra, Linda and Willie Chiang, Mike and Melna Moriarty, Linda Schmuck and Todd Zucker, Liz and Pete Carragher, Elizabeth and Alan Stein, Marian and Austin Cornelius, Fady Armanious and Bill Baldwin.