Georgina Bloomberg Honored In The Hamptons By Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation

“Horses are my business. Dogs are my passion,” Georgina Bloomberg told Hamptons.com. And so, she flew in for one night from Spain where her business had taken her, to be honored at the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation’s 5th Annual Unconditional Love Gala, at a sprawling waterfront estate. Daddy, that would be former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, came out to support her. Other politicos followed: Southampton Village Mayor Mark Epley, Mayoral candidate John Catsimatidis and wife, Margo, among them.

Once again, the connection was Gala Chair and animal lover Jean Shafiroff, who brought Bloomberg into the Shelter’s fold. “I’ve met Jean a few times at different animal events,” Georgina told us. “Animal activists tend to cross paths a lot. Through her, I learned a lot about The Southampton Animal Shelter.”

Bloomberg, who also lends her support to the ASPCA, a partner in the SASF to help spay and neuter animals, and the Humane Society, said her commitment to act began with a visit to a kill shelter, in 2008, to adopt a dog.

“I walked up and down the aisle looking every dog in the eye,” she later told the room. “It was the first time that I came face to face with what is going on in this country, as far as animals being euthanized. I made myself finish the tour of the shelter, walked outside, and there were tears. After that I decided I was not going to just be an animal lover, but an animal activist. I went back in and adopted the love of my life, a black and white hound mix called Hugo. Every day I look him in the eye and make myself remember every dog like him who is not going to get out of the pound.”

We only had to look around at the priceless pups and kitties all available for adoption to think there would be others that night who would find their shelter loves.

Honorary Corporate Chairs for the Unconditional Love Gala included Allen & Co., Barclays, Ferguson Cohen, LLP, and Sequin Jewelry. Beth Stern, Les Alexander and Liz Brown, Amanda Taylor, Charles McConnell, Liz and Jackie Shafiroff, Sharon Bush, Joel Cooper, Valentine and Yaz Hernandez, Bob and Jewel Morris were among the supporters, enjoying dinner by Robbins Wolfe Eventeurs and dancing to the music of the Alex Donner Orchestra.

Former Bond Girl Rachel Grant served as emcee; George McNeely as auctioneer. In her remarks, Jean Shafiroff thanked Susan Allen, auction chairs Amy Cosman and Nancy Jane Loewy, Board Members Cliff and Raya Knight, Cathy Deumler, Martin Shafiroff, and Wendy Wegner who also helped make the auction, which included trips to St. Barth and Anguilla, and a stay in a German castle, a success.