Spay Illinois' Parisian-inspired fundraiser aims to raise funds for animal care
Caring for a pet is a huge responsibility, especially financially. But when money is tight, health care for a family's furry friend may be last on the list of priorities.
That's where Spay Illinois comes in. This organization in Lisle offers preventive care through its wellness and spay/neuter services for pet owners and area rescues. The idea is that families facing financial hardships can still provide quality care for their pets.
The Lisle facility opened in 2013, with its Wellness Clinic at 2765 Maple Ave. and its Surgery Center at 2785 Maple Ave.
According to its website, spayillinois.org, the organization's main mission is to help pets in poverty and those without homes.
In order to help this mission along, Spay Illinois is hosting its Spay Soiree Nov. 6 at the Abbington Distinctive Banquets in Glen Ellyn.
There will be a silent auction; a Rover to the Rescue Raffle for a chance to win cash; a Wine Pull, with bottles valued from $10 to $400; a game of Heads OR Tails - purchase a strand of blue beads and join the game at 9 p.m. The last one standing wins the grand prize.
Tammy Bristol, director of Development & Communications for Spay Illinois, shares more information about the organization and its upcoming Parisian-inspired fundraiser.
Q: What is Spay Illinois? Give a brief overview of what the organization does and who you serve.
A:
At Spay Illinois, we believe that no pet should ever be denied quality preventive care due to the financial circumstances of their family, and we work hard to provide people the tools and resources they need to provide their pets with care they can afford.
We offer our services to all pet owners and rescue groups, but strategically focus our programs and initiatives to benefit pets in poverty and those without homes.
Spay Illinois' mission is to end pet homelessness by empowering pet owners and shelters with the resources that they need to be successful.
Q: Where do the majority of your donations come from?
A: Most of our donations come from generous animal lovers in our community and from the people who bring their pets to our Wellness and Spay and Neuter Clinics.
Q: How many pets per year do you serve?
A: In 2021, we are on track to serve 33,000 pets and their families. This is our busiest year yet.
Q: What are some of your programs?
A: We provide affordable veterinary care, low-cost vaccine clinics, and spay and neuter surgeries to all families.
Our Project Families Forever provides subsidized assistance to veterans and families receiving LINK to help keep pets in their loving homes. We also work closely with many shelters and rescue groups in the area, making sure their adoptable pets are healthy and ready for their forever homes.
Q: Tell us about the Spay Soirée.
A:
The Spay Soirée is Spay Illinois' main fundraising event to provide support to thousands of pet families in need.
It will be held from 6-11 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, at the Abbington Distinctive Banquets on Route 53 and Butterfield Road in Glen Ellyn.
Tickets are $50 and include appetizers, dinner, open bar, dancing to the live sounds of The Hat Men, and a silent auction. The event has a French theme, giving attendees the experience of walking through a street side cafe in Paris.
To purchase tickets, visit www.spayillinois.org.
Q: How can readers help if they can't participate in the event?
A: If you cannot join us, we are looking for silent auction donations from local businesses to help us raise funds at the event. Please reach out to the development team at Spay Illinois to make a donation at HappyTails@SpayIllinois.org.
If you would like to bid remotely on items in our silent auction, please reach out to us to receive a bidder number.
Monetary donations are always appreciated at www.spayillinois.org/donate.
Q: What else would you like readers to know?
A: We are looking for volunteers at our Spay Soirée and those willing to help us throughout the year. Please email us at HappyTails@SpayIllinois.org for more info.
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Spay Soirée
Who: Spay Illinois' main fundraising event
When: 6-11 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6
Where: Abbington Distinctive Banquets, Route 53 and Butterfield Road, Glen Ellyn
Cost: $50, which includes appetizers, dinner, open bar, live music and a silent auction
Details and tickets: www.spayillinois.org