Paws on the Dance Floor Raised $268K

There is absolutely nothing better than an event that's as fun as it is successful. The 2022 Paws on the Dance Floor, held Friday, April 8, at Art Ovation Hotel, raised an incredible $268,982 for the shelter animals at HSSC.

From start to finish, it was an event like no other. Guests were treated to a non-stop party atmosphere, beginning with dangerously delicious cocktails and some excellent people watching, courtesy of the "dress like your favorite musical genre or artist" theme. Pretty much every era was represented, from 1920s flappers to 1950s poodle skirts, flower children to aerobics instructors, material girls to grunge gals. Britney Spears and Tina Turner even sent their lookalikes. Once inside the ballroom, the party really got started when Derric and The Thrill took to the stage. This high-energy trio danced us through the musical decades and had the crowd on their feet. Auctioneer Jason Alpert expertly guided the program, which was punctuated by speeches from Executive Director Anna Gonce and Board President Jennifer Steube. Resident miracle kitty Sydney and her animal care staff mom Tina even graced the podium to show the lifesaving lengths HSSC will go to. When all was said and done, more than $131,000 in "raise your paw" gifts had been committed, 9 people had won trips to either Hawaii or Ireland, and a dozen more had shaken their tail feathers on stage during the TikTok Viral Dance Challenge. When the event officially ended at 2pm, guests beelined to the hotel rooftop for the unofficial afterparty and an imprompu dance party, complete with soundtrack by DJ Tony Foradini-Campos.

Thank you to everyone who made this day such a memorable one. Your generosity will help HSSC achieve our goal of saving more than 2,700 animals this year. 

See all the event photos (taken by Cliff Roles) here.