Houston’s 2008 Pawparazzi Ball took place at Hotel ZaZa on November 1 -- and it did not involve the paparazzi getting together to snap shots of Angelina and Brad Pitt. The Pawparazzi Ball was a fundraiser held by the Houston Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Anayeli Ruiz

Guest at the Pawparazzi Ball.

Each year, the HSPCA holds this celebrity-style ball to raise funds to help keep the organization running. But this year’s event was especially important as the organization needed to raise extra money to cover the cost for the additional animals that where taken in during hurricane Ike.

According to Meera Nandlal, HSPSA's Public Relations Manager, the total amount of expenses used during Hurricane Ike was $1 million.

“We didn’t turn any animals down during Hurricane Ike. No matter what, we took them all in,” said Nandlal.

HSPCA is not an organization that is supported by the government or the United Way. It is a donor supported organization, and it serves more than 100,000 thousand animals annually.

The Pawparazzi event is the organization’s largest fundraiser, and was expected to raise more than $500,000.  Nandlal said that this year’s sold out event was a success.

Pawparazzi attendees participated in a silent auction, a raffle for a smart car, dancing, music and dinner. Guests were also given a swag bag (favors bag) filled with a variety of goodies ranging from a Rockin’ Doggy to Grey Goose Vodka.

In addition to raising funds for the organization, the gala affair honored several Houston ‘Petitarians’ (in lieu of Humanitarians) including Jenna Creel, Debra and Mark Grierson, Elizabeth and Gary Petersen, Trish and Ty Whitcomb, and Karen and Rudy Wildenstein.

The Houston SPCA also presented their annual Angels Among Us Award to Evelyn H. Griffin.