The Celebration

On Friday, October 29, 2021, the Houston SPCA opened its doors for this year’s SPCA Howl-O-Ween Ball. Cochairs, Zane and Brady Carruth and Ann and Leslie Doggett welcomed the sellout crowd of over 350 people. KHOU TV-11 anchor, Kimberly Davis, emceed. The evenings honorees were: Community Honoree, Linda McIngvale; Mission Honorees, Westbury Animal Hospital and Jennifer Schechter Rosen and Harris County Precinct One Constable Alan Rosen; and Media Honoree, KHOU TV-11.

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The Story

Whether dressed in ghoulish garb or cocktail-party chic, guests were impressed by the transformation of the SPCA’s Equine Rescue Arena into a haunted ballroom. Filmy ghosts, garish ghouls, glittering pumpkins, spooky cobwebs, and glistening candelabras, perfectly placed by Bergner and Johnson, expertly created the desired effect. While viewing the not-so-scary silent auction items during the cocktail hour, participants enjoyed thirst-quenching libations and tasty hors d’oeuvres. One of the most sought-after auction items was a We Will Rise Again silkscreen by George Rodrigue.

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While heading toward their tables for dinner, attendees were treated to a surprise performance of Thriller by Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS) students. The sit-down meal, catered by City Kitchen, featured such delicacies as pan-seared chicken breast with chardonnay-thyme glace; grilled eggplant roulade stuffed with portobello mushrooms; chocolate fondant with pistachio crème anglaise, toffee, vanilla ice cream, and shortbread; and vegan chocolate, avocado, and zucchini mousse with fresh berries. Midway through the evening, the TUTS students dazzled once again with a performance of The Addams Family. The perfect evening ended with the TUTS students performing Monster Mash followed by attendees dancing to the tunes of DJ L-Boogie. Some partygoers visited the SPCA Adoption Center, instead of dancing, for coffee and cocktails.

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The Moments

Kimberly Davis acknowledged the ball and committee cochairs and Zane and Brady Carruth thanked guests for their tremendous support of the Houston SPCA. Houston SPCA President and CEO, Patti Mercer, recognized the evening’s generous sponsors. During dinner, this year’s honorees were saluted with various short videos. Franco Valobra of ValobraMaster Jewellers announced that Lauren and Pat Sullivan had won the raffle prize of a pair of custom drop earrings designed exclusively for the Howl-O-Ween Ball. A brief video accompanying dessert highlighted Houston SPCA’s mission.

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The spooktacular event raised over $1 million for Houston SPCA.

Guests: Adam Adams, Linda and Les Allison, Connie Bergen, Kimberly Castro, Brittany and Adam Clark, Lisa and Douglas Clarke, Roz and Byron Cooley, Jeanne and Ed Daniels, Kimberly Davis, Helena and Laird Doran, Marsha Eckermann and Dr. L.D. Eckermann, Linda and Simon Eyles, Joann Fuller and Forest Cook, Carol and Mark Glasser, Evelyn H. Griffin, Carol and Tommy Harper, Janine K. Iannarelli, Cheryl Knape and Dr. Gregg Knape, Tracy LeRoy and Brandon Rottinghaus, Judge Roberta Lloyd and Don McWilliams, Dale Lockett, Kandace and Carlos Longoria, Linda McIngvale, Patricia Mercer and Tony Blewitt, Ellen and Rachael Naegeli, Debbie and John Putman, Raevyn Rogers, Jennifer Schechter Rosen and Precinct One Constable Alan Rosen, Allison Tripp and Ross Plummer, Dancie and Jim Ware, Beth Wolff, Cynthia Wolff, and Bonnie and Mitch Zarsky.

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About Houston SPCA

The mission of Houston SPCA is to promote commitment to, and respect for, all animals and free them from suffering, abuse, and exploitation. Established almost 100 years ago to meet the needs of animals in Houston, the organization puts their care and wellbeing first in everything it does. Since its inception, Houston SPCA has saved and provided services for millions of animals.