A Night for the Animals: Cause for Paws Sets a Record at Windsor
- Vero Minute
- 7 days ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Nearly 300 guests filled the Windsor Beach Club on March 4 for the Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County's 42nd annual Cause for Paws Gala, walking out having made it the most successful in the event's history, raising more than $800,000 after costs. Not a bad evening for the animals.
Adoptable dogs and cats mingled with the crowd, stealing hearts with ease. If you were there, you know the cocktail hour demanded a certain amount of willpower.
The money matters. More than 30 percent of the animals who arrive at HSVB need life-saving treatment. In the past year alone, the shelter cared for over 3,000 animals, placed nearly 1,500 through adoption, and provided critical medical care to 1,000 more just long enough for them to find a family of their own.
One story in particular stopped the room in its tracks: Ricky. He arrived as a stray puppy with alarming seizure activity. Staff moved fast, launching a social media campaign asking for as little as five dollars at a time to get him the specialized care he needed. He's now seizure-free, sleeping under the covers next to his adopter's other dog, who approved the match on day one.
CEO Nichola Redmond also signaled what's ahead as Indian River County prepares to open its own animal facility. HSVB plans to partner with them to pull dogs and cats after their legal hold period and move them into adoption or transfer programs, a practical response to a county growing faster than any one organization can serve alone.
To support HSVB year-round, visit hsvb.org.
