Gimme Shelter’s 5th Annual Summer Event: Fur, Fun And Focus For A Fabulous Evening

Reminded of the first verse of the Rolling Stones song Gimme Shelter one could make a connection to those four-footed dogs among us that are in desperate need of forever homes, “Oh, a storm is threat’ning, My very life today, If I don’t get some shelter, Oh yeah, I’m gonna fade away.”

Gimme Shelter Animal Rescue Founder and Director Michelle Neufeld Montak addresses guests following moving video and prior to the 2nd Annual Otis Award Presentation. (Photo: Catherine Casey)

The 5th Annual Gimme Shelter Animal Rescue (GSAR) Summer Benefit was held on Saturday, July 23rd at the beautiful Southampton home of Ellen and Chuck Scarborough, who have given two adoptees a forever home. GSAR saves dogs on death row that will soon be sent to kill shelters (mostly in the South), as well as pays for medical services.

This handsome fellow, available for adoption, is looking for a forever family. (Photo: Eileen Casey)

Guests, both two-legged and four-legged, came together to keep the focus on what the evening was truly about – raising awareness and funds to assist GSAR’s Founder and Director, Michelle Neufeld Montak’s continued mission – saving as many dogs as possible – and the organization has done just that, saving over 1,000 of man’s best friend to date. Simply but aptly put by GSAR: “Saving one dog won’t change the world…but surely the world will change for that one dog.”

With live music, hors d’oeuvres from Between the Bread, and cocktails crafted by Wainscott Main Wine & Spirits, along with dog treats by “Ollie,” a new gourmet dog food company, and a myriad of silent auction items, including a tour of NBC Studios with Scarborough and even a ride in a fighter plane, there was certainly something to have everyone barking for joy. Along with artwork auction items with an animal theme and a gourmet doggie bar, as well as dogs available for adoption the fur was flying as petting, cooing, kissing, hugging and bragging kept ears perked and noses held high sniffing the air.

A good belly rub makes for a happy pooch and these young girls at the family friendly event were more than up to the task. (Photo: Catherine Casey)

Balancing a social evening while raising social awareness may not always be an easy goal to achieve, however, the presence of so many rescued and well-loved furry friends gently but profoundly reminded us all that surely must be a reason why God spelled backwards does spell DOG!

For more information, visit gimmeshelteranimalrescue.org.