Fabulous Fandango for Furry Friends

Bosque Spay & Neuter's 2nd Annual Fandango Fundraiser deemed big success Sept. 24; Hubler recognized as Volunteer of the Year, Calton named Board of Directors Supporter of the Year

CLIFTON – It seems that every day new distressing stories of stray animals on shelter kill lists, starving abandoned dogs and cats, cases of animal cruelty and animals found roaming flood Facebook. Instead of letting the animal overpopulation status quo exist, the non-profit Bosque Spay and Neuter organization actively and relentlessly tackles the problems head on. They provide invaluable services to the county, not to mention to the untold dogs and cats which now have more loving and productive lives through its efforts and those who support it.

BSN is dedicated to providing access to affordable spay/neuter services for pet owners in Bosque County. Every unwanted litter of puppies or kittens born contributes to the overwhelming statistics of animal overpopulation. Prevention – spaying or neutering pets – is the best way to help curb the problem of pet overpopulation. Knowing that the expense of the procedure might be prohibitive for some families, the BCSN offers low cost spay and neuter services, helping more than 1,200 families access to affordable spay/neuter services.

Since 2017, they also relocate rescued dogs and cats from dire conditions to areas with a greater adoption demand, in collaboration with out-of-state rescue partners. Prior to their trips across the nation, the pups get medical exams, are spayed/neutered and are vaccinated. A very important link in that service is the tireless foster mom, Libby Olsen. Olsen fields calls and helps with transport to and from the Waco clinic was also specifically recognized for her excellent customer service skills, and she is always ready to help.

BSN is also called to help in challenging situations like stray puppies born under an abandoned house, homeless kittens left in a plastic tub, pets left behind when families hit a rough patch and are evicted from their home. All these situations require thoughtful strategies to find the help needed – a foster for the kittens, puppies transported to a rescue partner, compassionate assistance rehoming pets for families struggling with a financial setback and the deep emotional pain of having to leave their beloved pets behind.

Because to the support of their invaluable and appreciated donors, BSN is able to respond in each of these situations with solutions that saves lives and gives people and their pets the help they need. To help pay for spay/neuter, medical, food and transport costs, Bosque Spay Neuter held its annual Fandango fundraiser Saturday at the Texas Safari Ranch.

The sold out fun event offered live music entertainment with a 60s Bossanova, smooth jazzy groove, a full bar with Tito Vodka specialty drinks, unique live auction and stretch raffle items and an extensive silent auction – many with a pet related theme. Guests sat at exquisitely decorated tables of aqua and bronze, with beautiful flower center pieces, labeled Best of Breed, Best of Show and Top Cat. Prior to the event in the Texas Safari Saloon where BSN supporters enjoyed specialty a delicious dinner catered by Bestyett, guests enjoyed visiting with and giving some extra Romaine salad and carrot snacks to JM, Annabelle and Betty, the wondrous Reticulated giraffe family at Texas Safari Ranch.

"The love and support we felt from the community on Saturday night was overwhelming and much appreciated.” BSN’s boots on the ground and Executive Director Carol Linn said after the event. “We are so grateful for everyone who came and showed their support. Our partnership with compassionate people in our community makes everything we do possible."

The event was an incredible success, raising 40 percent more than last year’s fundraiser. BCSN President Karen Cornett and Event Organizer Fran Towns served as Fandango co-chairs and welcomed guests. Offering this special and memorable evening to the BSN supporters is the board’s way of saying thank you.

Linn and Cornett were honored to offer this year’s Volunteer of the Year and Board of Directors Supporter of the Year awards. Cornett praised Helen Hubler for her compassionate dedication and service to dogs in need, offering a safe place for especially pregnant dogs and their litters, and presented her with the Volunteer of the Year Award. “Every day we benefit from her knowledge and expertise,” Cornett said.

Ann Calton received the Board of Directors Supporter of the Year Award for her generous spirit and compassionate love for fogs, which inspires the BSN every day in their service to the community. For example, she supplied a portable air-conditioning unit for Linn’s garage to make the dogs more comfortable in the Texas summer heat prior to transport to better lives.

Texas’ first Master Sommelier Guy Stout offered some information about his love for people and wine. “I got into wine when I was working at a restaurant in Galveston as a senior in high school,” Stout said. “Now 50 years later, I’m this Texas wine guru guy.”

Stout is very proud and honored to wear the pin as one of only 260 master sommeliers in the world. He was a featured wine expert on PBS cooking series and at the Smithsonian Institute Folk Life Festival in Washington – lecturing on the Texas wine industry boom. He and his wife Kimberly divide their time between their Houston home and their Napa Valley winery run by their son. Their desire is to have fun, produce world class cabernet and that people share their wine with family and friends over a good meal.

Guests at the Fandango were lucky enough to try the Stout Family Wines Sauvignon Blanc. A magnum – 1.5 liters – of their elegant, voluptuous 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon full of juicy dark fruit flavors and silky tannins was sold in live auction.

Banker by day, and special event auctioneer in popular demand Tom Henderson with spotters Fran Walker and Talon Clift kept the action lively during the live auction. Live auction items included a Weber propane Grill with Wenzel Lonestar Meats and a Stout Vineyards Cabernet; a plane flight and stay at a Cranfills Gap B&B; a Hico day’s out with a mini tank battle, Eis for lunch, Hico Popcorn Works snack, and dinner at Oma Leens; a shrimp boil; a Bestyett Catering party at the Indian Hills party barn; “Your Song” created and recorded by Brian Barrett after dinner at Olaf’s and a night at the Screen Door Inn; paintings by George Hallmark and Judy Parton, and a Big Bottle Basket filled with top shelf liquors.

In the first nine months of 2022, BSN has spayed and neutered more than 500 cats and 90 dogs, bringing their total of dogs and cats spayed and neutered since 2017 to more than 4,500.

In the first six months of this year, they have already transported 360 dogs for adoption into loving homes in Colorado, Minnesota, Connecticut, Virginia and New York. In September alone, Sammi, Stella, Luna and Charolette are some of the lucky canines to go to new forever homes in Virginia. Remi got to relocate to Minnesota. Two other beautiful pups started out their young life by being dumped in the Womack area. Now they have ten acres of property to protect and live on forever. BSN trapped 35 cats and one tiny kitten at a home in Clifton. Thanks to their spay/neuter partner Brazos River Rescue Ranch and Jeri Coe all the cats were taken care of with a veterinarian in Dallas.

Check out the BSN Facebook page for more heartwarming photos of rescued animals the volunteer team tirelessly takes care of. https://www.facebook.com/BosqueCountySpayNeuter/

Supporter of Bosque Spay Neuter know that their donations support hundreds of caregivers who assure that Bosque County animals are healthy and safe; that they are supporting a reliable nonprofit with experienced leadership providing fiscal responsibility and transparency; thanks to the low overhead, all donations go directly to support services.

Besides monetary assistance, the organization is regularly looking for foster homes to temporarily home the dogs until they can be transported or are adopted. If you are not able or wanting to commit to your own pet, you might consider fostering a puppy or kitten? It’s fun for the whole family and can make a life difference for the animal. BSN supplies the food, the vaccines and any medical supplies needed, a kennel. You supply the love and temporary home, usually for short term fosters for two-three weeks at a time.

If you are interested, send Bosque Spay & Neuter a text message at 254-253-6124.