Party Animals Flock to MaxFund’s Whiskers In The Night

It’s not unusual for eventgoers to pass around phones during an event, admiring photos of each other’s kids. At MaxFund’s 28th annual Puttin’ On the Max fundraiser, phones were out in full force—but in this case, the “kids” images were beloved pets. On Saturday, Nov. 5, the “Whiskers in the Night”-themed event attracted 350 glammed-up animal lovers who were treated to an evening full of niceties at The Brown Palace Hotel.

Kitty ears and a smile during the Pet Parade

The pre-dinner reception was highlighted by an extensive silent auction complemented by passed hors d’oeuvres. Guests adjourned to the ballroom for a sit-down dinner and program emceed by Britt Moreno, CBS4 morning anchor. MaxFund co-founder Bill Suro spoke to the crowd about the organization’s beginnings and was featured in an emotional, educational video that focused on animal stories at the no-kill shelter.

This cute chihuahua was a crowd-pleaser at the Pet Parade.

The always-anticipated Pet Parade put the spotlight on a handful of adorable, adoptable shelter animals. It was followed by a live auction run by Halie Behr, and a call for donations that was answered by numerous generous supporters.

Co-founder Nanci Suro spoke about MaxFund’s successes overall and in the past year, and architect Pete Pappas showed the audience plans for shelter additions and enhancements. The evening was capped off by talented singer and personality Lannie Garrett, who wowed the crowd with both her vocals and her antics as alter-ego country diva Patsy DeCline.

Big finish as Patsy DeCline (aka, Lannie Garrett) sings: “If you’ve got the money, honey, I’ve got the time.”

MaxFund is a true no-kill animal shelter and adoption center that challenges the traditional methods of animal sheltering by leading the no-kill movement in Colorado. Participants strive to give animals–including the injured, abandoned and abused–a “second chance at life.” In 2015, 1,236 dogs and cats were adopted from MaxFund, and 6,289 dogs and cats were spayed and neutered. Since inception, great forever homes have been found for 30,533 dogs and cats. Money raised at Puttin’ on the Max this year is geared toward MaxFund’s capital campaign: expanding the shelter to an adjoining property to be able to help even more homeless companion animals. To learn more about MaxFund, please visit: www.maxfund.org.