Operation Kindness is thrilled to announce that our 32nd annual fundraising event, Canines, Cats & Cabernet, raised over $900,000 for the organization this last Saturday, November 2. More than 500 guests filled the Sheraton Dallas’ downtown Dallas ballroom for a special evening of dining, drinks, dancing and live animal adoptions.
Canines, Cats and Cabernet 2024 honorary chair Jan Rees-Jones and her husband Trevor Rees-Jones represented the Rees-Jones Foundation as the 2024 recipient of the Operation Kindness Impact Award, presented by Operation Kindness CEO Ed Jamison. Guests learned about Operation Kindness’ mission work in the last year to “make the world a kinder place for animals and the people who love them,” including the opening of our new Lifesaving Partnerships Hub. During his remarks, Jamison spoke to Operation Kindness’ relationship with Dallas Animal Services, including Operation Kindness’ work as Dallas Animal Services’ top transfer partner.
Paul Ramon, director of Dallas Animal Services, shared his testimony in the evening, noting that, “The new Operation Kindness Lifesaving Partnerships Hub at our back door, the free suspected animal cruelty forensics care, rescue pulls, health certificates, spay/neuter community services, and transport support have not only pushed Dallas Animal Services closer to its life-saving goal and achieving our BeDallas90 Initiative, but has also made us proud of our collective achievements. We could not be where we are today without our Operation Kindness partner.”
The glasses clinked to toast Operation Kindness’ work in the last year, then Seth Hale and his Cowboy Auctioneers had the crowd battling with paddles on packages include premium sports experiences like visits to The Ticket radio station, diamond jewelry and luxury vacations to the French Riviera, Costa Rica and Mexico. Most importantly, the paddles went up during Operation Kindness’ Fund the Mission challenge, with 15 paddles raising with $1,000 donations each in moments to meet a surprise $15,000 matching grant challenge, while after the guests got into the Be the Last Hero game, where every paddle raised donated $250 to the mission, but only the last paddle up would have an Operation Kindness kennel raised in their honor.
Following dinner and coffee service, guests were swept off their feet for dancing and music by the Emerald City Band, as well as a pet adoption lounge, where nine Operation Kindness dogs and cats were adopted into loving homes during the event.
For $25, guests could participate in the Wine, Dine and Liquor Pull and choose to pull a cork, fork or shot glass and receive a bottle of wine, dining gift card or bottle of liquor valued at $25 or more. The Canines, Cats and Cabernet Grand Raffle featured VISA gift cards totaling $10,000.
“Once again, I am blown away by the support we have at Operation Kindness,” said Ed Jamison, the chief executive officer at Operation Kindness. “Canines, Cats and Cabernet is an unforgettable evening, and I’m already looking forward to seeing everyone again in 2025.”
Special thanks to Canines, Cats & Cabernet Gala’s Presenting Sponsor, Joni McCoy, Champagne sponsor Meridian Veterinary Capital, and Cabernet Sponsors, Fireside Capital Advisors, Ronald and Kay Burgert, Greg and Robyn Falconer, McCool Smith, James and Debbie Mabrey, Cristi and Kevin Ryan, The Lisa and Clay Cooley Family Foundation, Five Star Subaru and Susan and Scott Wilson for making the event possible.
