The 12th Annual Fundraising Gala

A Night to
Save Them All

An elegant evening of dinner, dancing, and generosity — every dollar raised gives a homeless animal a second chance at a loving life.

DateSaturday, Oct 18, 2025
Time6:00 PM – Midnight
VenueThe Larkspur Conservatory

The celebration begins in

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Early-bird pricing ends September 15

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0Animals Rescued Last Year
0% Live Release Rate
0Foster Families
0Raised at Last Year's Gala
The Evening

One night. Hundreds of lives changed.

Every year, our community comes together beneath the glass ceilings of the Larkspur Conservatory for a single purpose: to make sure no animal in Willow Creek goes without shelter, medical care, or a chance at a home.

Paws & Pearls is more than a fundraiser. It's where you'll meet the fosters who open their homes, the veterinarians who work past midnight, and the dogs and cats whose stories began with us — and ended on a couch, in a family, with a name.

"I came for the dinner. I left with a kitten, three new friends, and a reason to come back every single year." — Marguerite Ellis, Gala Guest since 2016

This year's goal: $225,000 to fully fund our new on-site surgical suite, doubling the number of spay/neuter and emergency procedures we can offer at no cost.

Woman hugging a rescued dog Kitten looking up
Every ticket · Saves a life · Every ticket ·
Evening Program

The Schedule

Black tie optional. Fur on your lapel, mandatory.

6:00

Champagne Reception & Puppy Lounge

Arrive to sparkling wine, passed hors d'oeuvres, and a chance to cuddle this season's adoptable puppies and kittens in the Garden Room.

6:30

Silent Auction Opens

Browse over 80 packages — from weekend getaways to original artwork — and bid directly from your phone throughout the evening.

7:30

Seated Dinner

A three-course farm-to-table menu by Chef Daniela Ruiz of Hearth & Vine. Vegetarian and vegan options available.

8:30

Stories of Rescue & Live Appeal

Hear from the families whose lives were changed — and meet Juniper, the senior beagle who inspired this year's surgical suite campaign.

9:15

Live Auction with Auctioneer Tom Bellamy

Five extraordinary experiences, one fast-talking auctioneer, and a room full of competitive animal lovers.

10:00

Dessert, Dancing & Late-Night Bar

The Copper Street Band takes the stage. Dance under the conservatory stars until midnight.

Join Us

Tickets & Tables

All tickets include the reception, dinner, program, and dancing. A portion of every ticket is tax-deductible.

Individual

$250
per guest
  • Champagne reception & dinner
  • Open seating
  • Access to silent & live auction
  • Funds 5 vaccinations
Reserve

Guardian Table

$5,000
table of ten
  • Front-row table placement
  • Logo on screens & signage
  • Pre-event VIP cocktail hour
  • Naming plaque in new surgical suite
  • Funds 10 emergency surgeries
Reserve
Silent & Live Auction

Auction Highlights

A preview of this year's packages. Bidding opens at 6:30 PM — and online bidding opens one week before the gala.

Coastal cabin
Live Auction

Week on the Oregon Coast

Seven nights in a cliffside cottage in Cannon Beach. Dog-friendly, naturally.

Value: $4,200
Private dinner
Live Auction

Chef's Table for Eight

A private tasting menu at your home prepared by Chef Daniela Ruiz.

Value: $2,800
Painting
Silent Auction

Custom Pet Portrait

An original oil painting of your companion by local artist Hana Okafor.

Value: $1,200
Concert
Silent Auction

Symphony Box Seats

Four seats in a private box for the Willow Creek Symphony's holiday season.

Value: $900
Guests of Honor

Meet This Year's Ambassadors

Three residents who'll be greeting guests — and who are all looking for their forever homes. Hover to read their stories.

Juniper the beagle
Senior · Beagle · 9 yrs

Juniper

Surrendered after her owner passed, Juniper needed a $3,000 surgery we couldn't perform on-site. She's the reason we're building the new suite.

Pickle the cat
Adult · Tabby · 3 yrs

Pickle

Found living under a porch with four kittens, all now adopted. Pickle is patient, affectionate, and deeply unbothered by dogs.

Bruno the pit bull mix
Young · Pit Mix · 2 yrs

Bruno

A 70-pound lap dog who graduated top of his obedience class. He'll be wearing a bow tie. He is very proud of it.

With Gratitude to Our Sponsors
Good to Know

Questions?

Everything you need to plan your evening. Still curious? We're here.

Event Office

Ava Lindqvist, Events Director
gala@willowcreekshelter.org
(555) 014-8820

Black tie optional. Cocktail dresses, suits, and gowns are all welcome. Please note the conservatory floors are stone — comfortable shoes are your friend by the dancing hour.

We adore your pets, but for the comfort of our ambassador animals and guests, only shelter animals and certified service animals can attend.

Yes. The fair market value of dinner and entertainment is $95 per guest; the remainder of your ticket is tax-deductible. Willow Creek Animal Shelter is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 00-0000000.

Complimentary valet is available at the conservatory's main entrance on Larkspur Lane. Rideshare drop-off is at the same location.

You can start the process! Our adoption team will be on-site to begin applications, and approved adopters can bring their new family member home the following week.

You can still make a gift, sponsor a volunteer's seat, or bid in the online silent auction from October 11–18. Every contribution counts toward the surgical suite.

Reserve Your Seat

We'd love to see you there.

Complete the form and our events team will follow up within one business day with confirmation and payment details.

WhenSaturday, October 18, 2025 · 6 PM
WhereThe Larkspur Conservatory
412 Larkspur Lane, Willow Creek
RSVP DeadlineOctober 4, 2025

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Thank you!

Your reservation request is in. Keep an eye on your inbox — and start thinking about that bow tie.