Between 115 and 130 people attended this year’s Pin Up Paws party to celebrate the release of the St. Augustine Humane Society’s 2021 calendar. As always, the publication features winning pet photos. This year, featured pets are dressed in costume to reflect the theme, “Mission Pawsible.” Each pet was fitted with accessories to match the 12 unique personalities.
The 10th annual PUP Party fundraising event was held Nov. 19 at the Humane Society in St. Augustine. Care was taken to provide a safe environment amidst the coronavirus pandemic, including full opportunity for social distancing.
Proceeds from ticket sales, pet photo submissions, sponsorships, silent and online auctions and calendar sales will benefit the programs and services of the Humane Society, the veterinary clinic and the current expansion. The event also supports the nonprofit organization’s mission of promoting healthy lifelong pet ownership and reducing the rate of relinquishment to shelters.
Those attending the event were offered an evening of deserts by Crème de la Cocoa, wine and nonalcoholic beverages, a wine pull, a complimentary Pin Up Paws 2021 calendar and musical entertainment. They also had an opportunity to tour the expanded veterinary surgical wing and speak with staff about medical services and new equipment.
The first-place winner this year is Hannah, a Great Pyrenees. She appears on the cover of the calendar. Owner Laurel Tallent campaigned for 2,400 votes to give Hannah the win.
Hannah won a professional photo shoot with photographer Addison Fitzgerald, a $200 Columbia Restaurant gift certificate, two free copies of the 2021 Pin Up Paws calendar and two free tickets to the PUP Party.
The calendar contest got started in June with donors who submitted photos of their pets in hopes that they would be selected to be featured. Friends voted for the pet of their choice, and the top vote-getters went on to appear in the calendar.
Styling and photography sessions for winning calendar pets were donated by award winning photographer Addison Fitzgerald. Local fine artist and graphic designer Maribel Angel donated her creative talents to designing the spy-themed calendar publication.
Calendars are available for purchase. The price is $10, and they are available online, by phone and at the Humane Society.
The Humane Society is located at 1665 Old Moultrie Road in St. Augustine. Business hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. It is open Saturday by appointment.
