Celebs and Socials Come Out to Support the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation

The Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation (SASF) held its Seventh Annual Unconditional Love Gala last week at a private waterfront residence on Gin Lane in Southampton. The event sold out for the seventh year in a row.

Gala Chair Jean Shafiroff, Board President Jonathan McCann and Chair Emeritus Susan Allen hosted this year’s event themed around a traditional Hamptons beach soiree, which honored El Faro de los Animales in Puerto Rico including Board Member David Brownstein and New York Branch President,Julie Sinaw.

Honorary Board member Georgina Bloomberg came out to support the Shelter, as did Southampton Mayor Mark Epley, U.S. Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, John Catsimatidis, and Jill Rappaport. The Honorary Corporate Chairs for the Unconditional Love Gala included Allen & Company, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Ferguson Cohen, LLP, and Stifel Financial Corp.

Master of ceremonies Chuck Scarborough welcomed more than 300 guests, including Southampton Councilman John Bouvier, Anna Throne-Holst, Richard Demato, Kim Renk, Ellen Scarborough, Debra Hearst, Lilianna Cavendish, Sony Schotland, Greg D’Elia, Martin Shafiroff and Rachel Grant, in addition to Junior Committee members Kate McEntee, Scott Stevenson, Elizabeth Shafiroff, Phil Piro,Merritt Piro, Charles McConnell, and Sara Vacchiano. Dinner was provided by Robbins Wolfe Eventeurs and music by the Alex Donner Orchestra.

This year’s Unconditional Love Gala exceeded its fundraising goal through donations, live and silent auctions and pet sponsorships. All proceeds go toward SASF initiatives, such as its low-cost spay/neuter mobile van granted by the ASPCA, efforts to rescue animals in puppy mills, and the daily care of rescues within the shelter. Funds also benefit outreach measures for special-needs children, and SASF’s “Playing For Life” program, which is currently in over 40 shelters and highlighted at the major animal conferences throughout the U.S.

About the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation: SASF is non-profit organization dedicated to providing for the welfare and reducing the number of homeless pets in the area community. SASF recently won an award as the finest shelter on Long Island and was rated in the top 10% of the country for their live-release rates, which means that of all animals brought to the shelter, 94% are adopted. SASF is an open-intake shelter that welcomes stray pets regardless of age, breed, or health. For more information go to SASF’s website:  www.southamptonanimalshelter.com.