Pet Pal Fundraiser was a Sold Out Success

. This year’s gathering was held at the Hilton in downtown St. Petersburg. Tickets were sold out before the end of the week. It was the second year in a row that the fundraiser pre-sold all of their seats.

Before dinner was served, live music and a number of activities kept guests entertained. Animals lovers from around the bay joined forces to breed the largest sum possible.

Lotus, a pitbull pup that came from Pet Pal, was the face of the event on Saturday night. She found a forever home around six months ago and became the unofficial mascot of the evening.

“It was pretty severe what happened to her,” said Pet Pal Marketing Director, Megan Trethewey. “But she never stopped wagging her tail.”

Volunteers strolled through the event with adoptable animals while supporters stuffed cash in their collars as donations.

Proceeds from ticket sales ($60 each), raffles, auctions and a doggie kissing booth will go to Pet Pal's emergency medical fund. As of Tuesday the official amount raised has not been released. 

“It is phenomenal that we sold out this year,” Trethewey said. “All types of people come out, but we’re all here to support the animals.”