Shamrock Pet Foundation's 'Art for the Animals' gala celebrates 30 years of helping animals

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- This fall, the Shamrock Pet Foundation will celebrate its 30th anniversary of helping animals in the community with an Art for the Animals Gala.

The gala will be held Thursday, Oct. 12, at the Mellwood Arts Center. The milestone event promises an unforgettable evening filled with art, food and a collective commitment to supporting our beloved animal friends.

Susan Sweeney Crum will be hosting the gala. She joined Mary Casey, vice president of the Shamrock Pet Foundation, on WDRB Mornings Thursday to give us a preview.

Casey explained what the foundation is all about.

"Our mission is to reduce the number of companion animals euthanized in Jefferson County through spay and neuter initiatives, foster and adoption," Casey said. "And sometimes we help people who are elderly and veterans. We have some cat colonies that we support that are not able to be in homes that are feral. We provide them housing, we provide them food.

"And we did something a little different this year that's kind of outside our box: we sent $5,000 to the Maui Humane Society because they have a hospital on site, and they committed to using that money for families whose animals were injured in the fires and can't pay their bills."

Sweeney Crum said she is serving as host because "obviously I am an animal lover. And I've known about Shamrock since way back when. It started really I guess spaying and neutering feral cats, but it's involved to spay and neuter 900 pets and animals a year and adopting them out to homes where they will be loved. But they've already been loved and cared for in their foster homes, so they're a good fit for people who are looking for an animal. They'll make sure they're spayed, neutered, microchipped, had their shots -- I just love animals so I'm happy to be part of it this year."

The Mellwood Arts Center's Van Gogh Room will provide the setting for a spectacular array of artwork by the region's most celebrated artists.

Guests will have the opportunity to bid on remarkable works of art while enjoying food provided by the Lee Initiative, Red Hog, and Blue Dog Bakery and Café.

The entire event is dedicated to raising funds for the Shamrock Pet Foundation, which has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of our companion pets and find them loving forever homes for more than three decades. 100% of every ticket purchase, auction bid, and donation made to Art for the Animals will toward the Shamrock Pet Foundation to have a profound impact on the lives of countless animals in need.

Preceding the main event, KORE Gallery will host an exclusive Preview Gathering on Oct. 4. Limited to only 100 guests, this party will offer a sneak peek at the extraordinary works of art designed for the live auction. The intimate preview will also provide attendees with the chance to engage and mingle with some of the artists behind some of the masterpieces.

Tickets to Art for the Animals are now available for purchase by clicking here, with two options:

$150 ticket that gives you access to the gala from 6-10 p.m., participate in the live and silent auctions, taste delicious foods and signature beverages and enjoy the company of some four-legged friends.
$200 tickets that give access to the gala, admission to the Preview Gathering at KORE Gallery on Oct. 4 from 6-8 p.m. where guests can mingle with the artists.

Donations can be made to the Shamrock Pet Foundation anytime by clicking here.