Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. (June 19, 2025) – Animal lovers hoisted their sails on Saturday to support Helen Woodward Animal Center and help save the lives of orphan pets in need.
Sails were at full mast at the La Valle Coastal Club in Rancho Santa Fe for the Center’s 37th Annual Spring Fling Gala. Each year the event features a different theme, and this year Yacht Rock saw attendees dining and dancing in their nautical-best. More than 370 animal-welfare enthusiasts dawned captain’s hats and other seafaring attire as they browsed silent auction items and sampled food from some of San Diego County’s top eateries, all in an effort to give back for a great cause. 36 local businesses collaborated to supply food and other support for the big evening which aims to raise money for orphan pets and other animal-based programs at the Center. By final tally, more than $500,000 was donated.
Throughout the event, attendees got the chance to meet some of the furry faces they are helping to save, including a litter of seven chihuahua-blend puppies from Central California. They also got to meet Harper, a three-year-old Chihuahua-blend who recently had a life-saving heart surgery to correct a heart murmur.
“One of the most redeeming moments of the evening is seeing people’s impassioned response as they meet these wonderful animals and see videos that immerse our supporters into the world we witness on a daily basis,” says Helen Woodward Animal Center VP of Development Renee Resko, “Each year we see a magnificent turn-out of animal lovers and animal welfare supporters, all with the same goal in mind- Let’s help as many animals as possible.”
The evening is not just about food, drinks and entertainment, but about highlighting the importance of animal welfare organizations and their partnerships. Videos were shown throughout the event that showcase the life-saving work Helen Woodward Animal Center staff undertake on a daily basis to ensure the wellbeing of orphan pets, and the dire need behind supporting these causes.
For those interested in supporting the orphan pets in need visit https://animalcenter.org and click on ‘Donate.’ Or, if you are a business interested in partnering with the Center, contact VP of Development Renee Resko at ReneeR@animalcenter.org.
***
About Helen Woodward Animal Center
Helen Woodward Animal Center is a private, non-profit organization where “people help animals and animals help people.” Founded in 1972 in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., the Center provides services for more than 90,000 people and more than 10,000 animals annually through adoptions, educational and therapeutic programs both onsite and throughout the community. Helen Woodward Animal Center is also the creator of the International Home 4 the Holidays pet adoption drive, the International Remember Me Thursday® campaign and The Business of Saving Lives Workshops, teaching the business of saving lives to animal welfare leaders from around the world. For more information, go to: https://animalcenter.org.
