News
Shadow Cats Fundraiser Spectacular
June 27, 2007, 12:0AM MT
By Jennifer S Hayes
Night of El Gato supplies much needed funds to Round Rock cat organization.
Night of El Gato supplies much needed funds to Round Rock cat organization.
By Jennifer Hayes: Best Friends Network
Shadow Cats held their first ever Night of El Gato benefit event at Baby Acapulco’s in Austin, TX. Approximately 100 people attended the fundraising dinner, showing support for Shadow Cats and its mission.
The social evening began with a vegetarian Mexican buffet service and once everyone was seated, President and Founder Sheila Smith addressed the audience, discussing the organization’s recent growth. In addition to doubling their volunteers, they recently hired Candice Blye as the new Executive Director and Alpha Morrison as the Shelter Manager, with hopes that the newly appointed supervisors will give more visibility to Shadow Cats. She also outlined the goals for the upcoming year; a strengthened Board of Directors and work to develop a pilot program to change local ordinances to allow TNR (trap, neuter and release).
Bidding for silent auction items was the evening’s highlight. The community had been very generous, donating many items, gift certificates, gift baskets, and even a night out on the town. As Smith said, “Bid high and bid often” as another way of showing support for Shadow Cats. Her plea must have been successful, as the organization generated approximately $9,000 in funds from the evening, which will help them continue in their mission of helping cats, promoting TNR and educating the public to the plight of ferals.
Says Smith, “Years ago, no one even thought about a feral cat., they were invisible.” However, so many people in the area are aware of ferals now; she hopes that “instead of being Night of El Gato, it becomes Year of El Gato.”
How you can help:
Shadow Cats
2111 Sam Bass Rd.
Suite 2000-B
Round Rock, TX 78681
Phone: 512-388-3909
If you were not able to attend Night of El Gato, you can still help in the following ways:
• Monetary donations for veterinary costs
• Donations of cat food and litter
• Additional trappers to continue the TNR process
For more information about feral cats and TNR:
• Best Friends Feral Cat Resources
• Best Friends: Living in the Gray Zone
• No More Homeless Pets: Taming Feral Cats
• Alley Cat Allies
• Alley Cat Rescue
Photo credit: all photos by Jennifer Hayes.
Lead Photo: Cindy and Victoria Anderson, adopters of Khan, a special needs cat from Shadow Cats.
Photo #2: President and Founder Sheila Smith addresses the audience while new Executive Director Candice Blye looks on.
Photo #3: Attendees look over some of the many items available at the silent auction.