From this page, also learn about our
Sherlock Bones Scavenger Hunt the Art For Animals event.

Cause For Paws: a 2-night gala sets the mark for local charity events.

For years, HSVB&IRC’s annual Cause for Paws Preview Party and Charity Auction have been recognized as the “must-do” charity events on Indian River County’s calendar. But, for 2012, we have given these events a “facelift” which promises to make them even more fun (and successful) than ever before.

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See a story about the 2011 Cause For Paws as reported in the «Summer Edition» of our Humane Times magazine.

Once again, the two-night charity event will take place at the spacious Vero Beach Museum of Art in Riverside Park. This year, the dates are March 29 and 30. The event committee, under the direction of co-chairpersons Sheila Marshall and Bonnie Spitzmiller, is rounding up a unique selection of silent and live auction items featuring exclusive vacations, fine art, jewelry, antiques, and more. Of course, the beneficiaries of all these festivities are the 6,000+ animals cared for by HSVB&IRC each year.

This year, we're giving you a "secret weapon" to help you WIN at the Silent Auction game. When you check in at the Cause For Paws Auction on March 30, 2012, you will be given a unique device - an iPod Touch developed by a company called BidPal®. No, it won’t play music, but it will be programmed with your personal bidder number and contain pictures and descriptions of all our silent auction items... With BidPal, you will, literally, hold the entire auction in your hand! Plus, you will be able to use your BidPal to select the items you are interested in and bid on them wirelessly from anywhere in the room. If anyone bids against you, you will be notified and given the opportunity to modify your bid without even leaving your table! Of course, all our auction items will be on display at the Art Museum so that you can see them live and in person, but with BidPal you will be freed from the shackles of a display table. You can grab a glass of wine or savor some great hors d’oeuvres without fear of having something you really want snatched away by another bidder. We’re putting the fun back in fundraising and bringing easy, cutting edge technology to our little corner of the Sunshine State. So, grab your BidPal, find your favorite items, and let the bidding begin!

To really appreciate the scope of these festivities, you’ll want to attend both nights’ activities.

NIGHT #1: The Cause for Paws Preview Party will be held on Thursday, March 29 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Vero Beach Museum of Art’s Atrium. At this more intimate function, guests can enjoy a buffet dinner and open bar while viewing highly desirable treasures available for bidding and immediate purchase. The evening’s special guest is Ms. Florida 2009, veterinarian Juli Goldstein. The Preview Party is being graciously hosted by Sally Anderson, Jo Ann Becker, Sandy Crowell, Betsy Forrester, Virginia Schwerin, Jean Shropshire and Maria Whittle.

NIGHT #2: The Cause for Paws Benefit Auction is set for Friday, March 30th, 2012 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the Vero Beach Museum of Art’s Great Hall. Already, live auction items include a photo safari in South Africa, a Royal Clipper Caribbean cruise, and a stay at a deluxe midtown Manhattan apartment. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and open bar are included with music performed by Old Barber Bridge.

At the Friday auction event, guests will be able to bid on silent auction items anywhere in the room using BidPal’s personal wireless devices provided at the event. This exciting new auction feature promises to make it easier for you keep up with your bids (and win them, too). Learn more about your new "secret weapon" in the sidebar story on this page.

Tickets to attend both the exclusive March 29th Preview Party and March 30th Cause for Paws Auction are $250 per person. Tickets for just the March 30th Cause for Paws Auction are $125 per person. To reserve your place at these special events, please call (772) 388-3331 ext. 26.

In the beginning...
The first "Cause for Paws" event was founded by one of our dearest friends and strongest supporters, the late Jane King. It was her foresight and determination that helped "Cause for Paws" evolve into the success it is today. The event originally began as the "Art Auction" held in 1985 at Sea Oaks. The event netted $5,000 for its 50 pieces of framed art which benefited the Humane Society of Vero Beach & Indian River County. The success of this event today is a tribute to her vision and the incredible efforts of a devoted team of volunteers!

Here are two other HSVB&IRC events you should add to your schedule...
Sherlock Bones Scavenger Hunt is a family-fun event with excitement, prizes, and more. See what's happening.	HSVB&IRC teams with local artists to speak for the animal population. Click here for information about Art For Animals.