On a Clear Night, It Was “Reigning” Cats and Dogs in Dallas at SPCA of Texas’ Fur Ball

Inside the Annual Fundraiser, Which Included a Cuddle Zone at Frontiers of Flight Museum

By PaperCity Staff Report // Nov 9, 2026

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Whitney Eichinger with an adorable rescue pup at SPCA Fur Ball 2026 (Photo by Thomas Garza Photography)

What: SPCA of Texas’ Fur Ball

Where: Frontiers of Flight Museum

SPCA Fur Ball 2026 — Chris Luna, Gina Betts (Photo by Thomas Garza Photography)

PC Moment: Gina and Ken Betts chaired this year’s Fur Ball, themed “Reigning Cats and Dogs.” Mary McDermott Cook and her rescue, Pepper, served as the honorary chairs for the event, which was attended by 500 fellow animal lovers and “best friends” of the SPCA of Texas.

Upon arrival, attendees headed straight to the “Cuddle Zone,” where six sleepy puppies accepted cuddles. One guest held a big-pawed, blue-eyed heartbreaker named Randy and never put him back down. Randy’s new dad signed the adoption paperwork right then and there! Guests enjoyed cocktails while bidding on silent auction items like trips to both Santa Fe and New Orleans before heading downstairs for a delicious dinner prepared by Salum.

NBC5’s Brian Curtis emceed the evening and reminded attendees that their support ensured that SPCA could continue to fulfill its mission of rescuing vulnerable animals, providing compassionate care, and helping them find loving homes. During the program, SPCA of Texas’ President and CEO Chris Luna recognized Cook (whose dog Pepper sat at her feet all night long), saying, “Mary is one of the greatest animal lovers in Dallas and has always shared her home with rescue dogs and cats. Her compassion for animals and her generous support have helped make a brighter future possible for so many pets and people.”

Luna presented Kathy and Jim Hopper with the Mary Spencer Award for their steadfast generosity and commitment to SPCA of Texas’ mission. “Kathy and Jim Hopper believe that animals are family and that animals who have suffered abuse need people willing to stand up for them,” Luna said. Ciara Cooley Biggers received the inaugural Brighter Future Award for “strengthening the community’s ability to care for animals, support the people who love them, and create lasting change.”

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The evening included a spirited live auction conducted by Luke Lange and featuring five exceptional items. The highlight of the live auction? A private dinner at the home of Kent Rathbun and featuring fellow chefs Abraham Salum of Salum, Janice Provost of Parigi, and Bobby Poulette of By Bobby sold twice for $50,000 each!

Impact: Luna shared that SPCA of Texas’ “Care Unleashed” capital campaign recently reached 95 percent of its $31 million goal. The new Stephens Greth Foundation Campus, which includes The Addy Foundation Animal Recovery Center, is expected to open in spring 2027.

After a matching donation from the Hoppers was announced, the evening’s emotional paddle raise doubled the impact and raised $400,000 for SPCA of Texas’ lifesaving work.

That night, the sky was clear, but it was certainly “reigning” cats and dogs at SPCA of Texas’ Fur Ball.

PC Seen: Katy and Lawrence Bock, Jan and Trevor Rees-Jones, Tracy and Ben Lange, Lisa and Clay Cooley, Steve Atkinson and Ted Kincaid, Amy and Michael Meadows, Rozalyn and Robert Colombo, Whitney and Erik Eichinger, Nancy Gopez, Barb and Steven Durham, Monique Hohmann, Maggie Kipp, Bela and Chase Cooley, Tracy and Kent Rathbun, Tiffany and Paul Divis, Katherine and Key Coker, Gigi Gartner, and Ali Turiano and Ismael Santiago.