When we hear "Hamptons House Hunting," we likely imagine majestic multi-room houses, sprawling land with sumptuous landscaping, swimming pools, tennis courts, guest cottages sought by the world's most affluent and influential people. But on the evening of July 8th, 300 of the Hamptons' residents and guests gathered to support the search for homes, not for themselves, but for our best friends who are lovingly cared for by Southampton Animal Shelter.
The mission of the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation is to provide for the welfare of homeless animals and find them loving homes. As the only open admissions animal welfare organization in the area, they are dedicated to promoting and nurturing the bond between people and animals through adoption, medical care, behavior training and education.
Southampton Village Mayor Michael Irving and his wife Ellen, Honoree Philanthropist and Author Jean Shafiroff
The Foundation’s Board of Directors, led by Board President Jonathan McCann, hosted this year’s event held at a private waterfront residence on Gin Lane in Southampton. Themed around a whimsical walk in the park, the evening honored SASF Co-Founder Sony Schotland and Honorary Board Member Jean Shafiroff, who has chaired the Gala for the previous five years. Philanthropist and author Mrs. Shafiroff has been instrumental in helping the shelter raise nearly $4 million, while Mrs. Schotland has dedicated more than 50 years to saving homeless pets, and was instrumental in making the Southampton Animal Shelter private, with a no-kill policy.
Jean Van Damme, Alana Cowan, Honoree and Southampton Animal Shelter founder Sony Schotland,
Dr. Ronald Hoffman, Victoria von Schantz
This year’s Unconditional Love Gala exceeded its fundraising goal through donations, pet sponsorships and silent and live auctions conducted by Katie Jacobs. All proceeds went towards SASF's crucial initiatives, such as their low-cost spay/neuter mobile van granted by the ASPCA, efforts to rescue animals enslaved in puppy mills, and the daily care of the rescues within the shelter. Proceeds also benefit the shelter's programs that help special needs children, along with educating, mentoring and implementing SASF's "Playing for Life" program, which is currently in more than 40 shelters and recognized at major animal conferences throughout the U.S.
Southampton Animal Shelter client photo by Jared Siskin of Patrick McMullan
Master of ceremonies Chuck Scarborough welcomed the enthusiastic guests, including: Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, John Catsimatidis, Beth Stern, Jill Rappaport, Jean Remmel Little, Deborah Hearst, Southampton Village Mayor Michael Irving and his wife Ellen, Leesa Rowland, Larry Wohl, former Southampton Village Mayor Mark Epley and his wife Marianne, Martin Shafiroff, Sandra McConnell, Steve Bernstein, Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman, June Jaffee – Executive Director of the Muriel F. Siebert Foundation, State Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright and Julie Ratner. The event was also supported by Georgina Bloomberg, Anne Hearst and Beth Shak.
Event chairman Andrea & Alex Douzet, Missy Hargraves, Antonella Bertello, Marcy Warren, Ellen Ward Scarborough, Mollie Ruprecht Acquavella and Michael Katz were joined by Junior co-chairs Katie McEntee, Elizabeth Shafiroff, Kingsley Crawford, Pamela Suskind, Sarah Vacchino and Merritt Piro.
About the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation:
Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing for the welfare of homeless pets in our community and, in turn, placing them in permanent caring homes. The SASF’s mission is to provide for the welfare of animals and to reduce the number of homeless pets. The Shelter’s goal is to promote and nourish the bond between people and animals through adoption, education and community outreach. SASF recently won an award as the finest shelter on Long Island and rated in the top 10% of the country for their live release rates. The Shelter leads the country with its "live release rate", which means that of all animals brought to the shelter, 94% are adopted into loving homes. SASF is an open intake shelter that welcomes stray pets regardless of age, breed, or health providing them with the finest care, food, training, and medical attention. No adoptable animal is left behind!
To learn more, please visit SASF’s website at www.southamptonanimalshelter.com
or their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/southamptonanimalshelter.