MARCH
March 4
Wish Upon a Star Gala
Pet Rescue didn’t get into our “Best of the Decade” list without good reason—these volunteers really go the extra mile, sometimes spending their own money to care for sick pets. So, help ease those vet bills a little by attending the Pet Rescue Annual Gala, which features cocktails, a buffet dinner, silent and live auctions, and raffles. Reservations required. VIP Country Club, New Rochelle (914-632-7155; ny-petrescue.org).
March 25
Wags & Whiskers Annual Gala
Cat Assistance and the Pet Adoption League team up to throw a swanky fundraiser—and 100 percent of the proceeds benefit homeless animals. Meanwhile, you get to enjoy a gala evening with wine, hors d’oeuvres, dinner, dessert, auctions, and raffles—the definition of win-win. Coveleigh Club, Rye (914-667-7877; petadoptleague.org; catassistanceny.org).
March 5
Adoption Extravaganza
Who could resist all those sweet little faces? At this yearly adoption event, the SPCA of Westchester takes pets rescued from Mississippi—sometimes as many as 100 puppies—and brings them to Westchester, where they can find loving homes. The Greenwich Water Club, Cos Cob, CT. For more information, contact the SPCA of Westchester (914-941-2896; spca914.org).
APRIL
April 30
SPCA of Westchester Walkathon and Pet Fair
Show off your pet, courtesy of the SPCA of Westchester, as you strut around a 2.5-mile loop at the beautiful FDR State Park in Yorktown Heights. When you’ve finished checking out the other pets in the parade, you can enjoy adoption booths, family art projects, pet contests, live agility demonstrations, vendors hawking pet products, and delicious treats for both pets and humans. FDR State Park, Yorktown Heights (914-941-2896; spca914.org).
Late Spring TBA
Fur Ball Gala Fundraiser
An elegant evening benefits the animals of Pets Alive Westchester. The dinner features cocktails, dancing, a silent auction, and an awards presentation. For those who can’t hang with the night owls, Pets Alive also hosts a luncheon in early summer. For more information, contact Pets Alive Westchester (914-592-7334; petsalivewest.org).
JUNE
June 9
New Rochelle Humane Society’s Centennial Celebration
One hundred years of saving animals—now that’s a cause for celebration if we’ve ever heard one. Give kudos to the New Rochelle Humane Society at a gala evening. Wykagyl Country Club, New Rochelle (914-632-2925; newrochelle
humanesociety.org).
June 11
Greenwich Kennel Club’s All-Breed Dog Show, Obedience, and Rally Trial
It’s like Best in Show without the wackiness. You can see your favorite breeds and meet the breeders, watch agility dogs show off their skills, and see knowledgeable experts judge the competitions. Taylor Farm Park, Norwalk, CT (greenwichkc.org).
June 13
The 34th Annual Guiding Eyes for the Blind Golf Classic
Eli Manning may be known for his football skills, being the quarterback for the New York Giants and all, but wait until you see him out on the links. He joins Guiding Eyes in hosting a fundraising day of golf that also includes breakfast, a blind golf demonstration, lunch, cocktails, a dinner with presentations, and auctions. Whippoorwill Club, Armonk, and Mount Kisco Country Club, Mount Kisco (914-245-4024; guiding eyes.org).
JULY
July 17
Dog Wash
We’d gladly take any excuse to outsource all that scrubbing, washing, and brushing. The New Rochelle Humane Society’s Dog Wash features a day of pet pampering, nail clipping, microchipping, and more, along with food and family activities for those who shower daily on two legs. New Rochelle Humane Society, New Rochelle (914-632-2925; newrochellehumanesociety.org).
SEPTEMBER
September 25
Puttin’ on the Dog Show
You don’t need the snooty Westminster judges. Adopt-a-Dog’s “ for fun” outdoor dog show has pups compete for titles that really matter, like “Best Tail-Wagger” and “Best Kisser.” If you don’t yet have a dog to compete with, adoptable animals also will be in attendance. Roger Sherman Baldwin Park, Greenwich, CT (203-629-9494; adopt-a-dog.org).
OCTOBER
October TBA
Guiding Eyes Wine Tasting
You don’t need 20/20 vision to enjoy the best wines in the world. Blind sommelier Amy Dixon, the fine wine buyer for Stew Leonard’s, brings her Guiding Eyes dog, Elvis, and leads a wine tasting fundraiser. For more information, contact Guiding Eyes for the Blind (914-243-2211; guidingeyes.org).
October 2
Hounds on the Sound Dog Walk/Festival
Your dog-walking path around the neighborhood is getting boring. Instead, take Fido on the 1.6-mile loop around Glen Island at this event, where you can also get some excitement into the routine with games for pets and owners, obedience demonstrations, and food, music, and family activities, courtesy of the New Rochelle Humane Society. Glen Island Park, New Rochelle (914-632-2925; newrochellehumane
society.org).
October 21
Top Hat and Cocktails
Your pup appreciates the finer things, but never gets invited to cocktail parties—until now. The SPCA of Westchester’s Top Hat and Cocktails gala invites people and their pets to put on their best duds and venture out together. After your portrait is taken by a professional pet photographer, take Spot to the doggie ice-cream bar while you enjoy drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and live and silent auctions. Ritz-Carlton, Westchester, White Plains (914-941-2896; spca914.org).
Don’t Call Your Pet…
The list of hackneyed pet names goes well beyond Fido, Rover, and Fluffy. Check out the list below before you go naming your new furry friend and see the pet names county vets encounter most frequently.
Max Buddy Lucy Lola Prince/Princess Smoky Buster
—JBT
