SOUTHAMPTON ANIMAL SHELTER FOUNDATION

On Sunday May 28^th, The Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation (SASF) hosted their fourth annual "A Taste of Wine" kicking off their Eighth Annual Unconditional Love Gala being held on July 8^th, 2017.

Held at the Southampton Historical Museum, the event was hosted by Board President Jonathan McCann and Honorary Chair Jean Shafiroff – one of this year's Gala honorees. The duo welcomed guests including Southampton's Mayor Mark Epley and his wife Marianne, and Ellen and Chuck Scarborough to enjoy a variety of wines courtesy of Bottle Hampton, Martha Clara Vineyards, Herbert and Rist, Raphael Vineyards and Fiol Prosecco.

Guests were provided with tasting stations loaded with vegetarian appetizers from Schmidt Bros Produce to enjoy while they listened to the sounds of Certain Moves Trio, and played with the adoptable cats and dogs. A litter of kittens and three Chihuahua siblings Bruiser, Buster and Annie who were looking for their forever families, received a lot of attention from various guests.

Midway through the event Jonathan McCann thanked attendees for coming saying, "Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation relies solely upon donations from the public. The wellbeing of our homeless animals is the result of your generosity and support." He stressed, "the need to find homes for the 'long term' dogs who are just as capable of offering unconditional love as the puppies that you are meeting today."

Additional guests included: Cornelia Bregman, Wendy Diamond, Victor de Souza, Barbara McEntee, Kate McEntee, Brigid Fitzgerald, Dawne Marie Grannum, Dr. and Mrs. Steven Greenberg, Sara Johnson Kaplan, Unconditional Love Gala Co-Chair Michael Katz, Raya and Cliff Knight, Aniik Libby, Dolly Lenz, Dr. Teresa Meekins, Susan Allen, William Nicolai, Rodney O'Connor and Valerie Rooks, SASF Executive Director Jerry Rosenthal and his wife Cionna Rosenthal, Diane Rulnik, Elizabeth Shafiroff, Martin Shafiroff, Dr. Steven Schutzer, and Wendy Wegner.

100% of proceeds directly help the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation. The mission of the SASF is to provide for the welfare of homeless animals and find them loving homes. As the only open admissions animal welfare organization in Southampton, they are dedicated to promoting and nurturing the bond between people and animals through adoption, medical care, behavior training and education. Proceeds from this evening's event support critical programs and services that make them the leader in animal welfare and responsible pet ownership in the community.

The Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation will hold its Eight Annual Unconditional Love Gala on Saturday, July 8 where Jean Shafiroff and Sony Schotland will be honored. Cocktails are at 6:30pm and dinner at 7:30pm. Tickets begin at $1,000 and can be purchased by phone (631) 728-PETS (7387 ext. 240) or line: www.southamptonanimalshelter.com

The SASF is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization that relies on the generosity of our donors and volunteers to care to for the homeless animals in our community, and place them in loving "forever homes." The number of animals in need of their help is growing every day. The overpopulation of pets on Long Island is a major issue and sadly more amazing animals are ending up homeless. Whether caring for strays found wandering the streets, rescuing neglected and abandoned animals, or saving dogs from the horrors of the puppy mill industry, the shelter is a safe haven for all animals and for some, a last resort. Without SASF, these animals would not be able to survive. The shelter provides a stepping stone for animals to find a loving home. It offers them housing, food, medical treatment, training, and rehabilitation when necessary.