Lights. Camera. Adopt.

Puppies and paparazzi steal the spotlight at SPCA of Texas Fur Ball

Sparkling dresses, dapper suits, and the occasional puppy kiss stole the show at the SPCA of Texas’ Fur Ball on September 19. More than 500 of the nonprofit’s most passionate supporters gathered at the Frontiers of Flight Museum near Love Field, ready to make a difference and have a great time doing it.

Billed as DFW’s most paw-some gala, the Fur Ball celebrates the powerful bond between people and their pets while raising critical funds for the SPCA of Texas’ mission to rescue, heal, and find loving homes for thousands of animals each year. This year’s event — themed "Lights. Camera. Adopt." — was chaired by Kristin Hallam, with The Dealey Family Foundation serving as honorary chairs.

SPCA of Texas Fur Ball 2025 Brian Curtis, James Hallam, Kristin Hallam, Chris Luna.Photo by Thomas Garza Photography

Photo by Thomas Garza Photography

Kristy Sands, Madelaine Lam, Kameron Wescott, Olivia Nelson, Kristin Hallam, Tanya Rice, Katy Brooks.

After checking in and posing for photos, guests made their way upstairs for cocktails and one of the evening’s favorite attractions: the Cuddle Zone. Sleepy, soft puppies eager for nuzzles — and available for adoption — were cradled and cooed over while guests browsed a lively silent auction featuring animal-themed baskets, restaurant and spa gift cards, designer bags, jewelry, and artwork.

As the evening continued, guests moved downstairs and through a tunnel of "paparazzi" before entering the softly glowing dining area, bedecked with white orchids courtesy of event designer Steve Kemble.

SPCA of Texas Fur Ball 2025 Photo by Joseph Haubert Photography

Dinner by Vestals Catering began with a butter leaf salad with poached pears and spiced pecans, followed by red wine-braised short rib garnished with crispy onions. Alternating desserts of triple chocolate layer cake and apple-cranberry shortcake got forks flying as guests sampled their neighbors' treats.

Returning emcee and NBC 5 anchor Brian Curtis, himself a proud pet parent of rescued dog Ocho, reminded everyone of the reason behind the festivities. Tripawd Sapphire, a gorgeous Rottweiler mix, also took the stage to share her rehabilitation story via video.

SPCA of Texas Fur Ball 2025 Krystelle Sun with Sapphire.Photo by Thomas Garza Photography

SPCA of Texas president and CEO Chris Luna expressed gratitude to the dedicated volunteers and staff, encouraging the crowd to give generously to support life-saving care for animals in need.

Luna also announced a $31 million capital campaign titled Care Unleashed, which has already raised more than 75 percent of the funds needed to add 39,000 square feet to the nonprofit’s reimagined Stephens Greth Foundation Campus and the new Addy Foundation Care and Recovery Center.

Auctioneer Grant Snyder then led a spirited live auction that saw guests competing for luxurious getaways and a private dinner at chef Kent Rathbun's home — a prize so popular it sold twice.

SPCA of Texas Fur Ball 2025 James Hallam makes a bid.Photo by Thomas Garza Photography

To wrap up the evening, guests hit the dance floor as Manhattan kept the energy high late into the evening. Spotted among the crowd were last year's chairs Lawrence and Katy Bock, Trevor and Jan Rees-Jones, Kameron Westcott, Madelaine Lam, Randy Pruett, Bill Driscoll, Michelle Bleiberg, Olivia Nelson, Tanya Rice, Katy Brooks, Peter and Lael Brodsky, and Miss Texas Sadie Schiermeyer, all there to support a cause close to their hearts.

In total, the Fur Ball raised more than $800,000, funds that go directly toward rescuing, rehabilitating, and finding homes for thousands of animals across North Texas.

history in the making

Taylor Sheridan to be honored with legendary Texas award in 2027

1923 Las Vegas Premiere Screening & After Party Taylor Sheridan

Photo by David Becker/Getty Images for Paramount+

Taylor Sheridan is a 2027 recipient of the History-Making Texan Award.

Trailblazing North Texas producer, director, and screenwriter Taylor Sheridan will add a new award to his shelf in 2027. Sheridan has been named one of two recipients of the History-Making Texan Award, which the Texas State History Museum Foundation (TSHMF) will present in Austin in spring 2027.

Since 2005, the organization has honored "living Texas legends whose contributions to the state and the nation have been truly historic and exceptional in scope and nature." Past galas have recognized prominent Texas figures such as former presidents George H.W. and George W. Bush and former first ladies Barbara and Laura Bush, as well as H-E-B chairman Charles Butt, singer-songwriter and accordionist Leonardo “Flaco” Jimenéz, among others.

Joining Sheridan as the other 2027 honoree is Texas Historical Commission chairman, businessman, and philanthropist John L. Nau, III. The 2027 gala will be held at the Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin on March 2, Texas Independence Day.

"Our honorees are national leaders whose accomplishments have elevated Texas’ distinctive place on the national and international stage," said Debbie Raynor, Dinner Chair and TSHMF Trustee, in a relase. "John L. Nau, III and Taylor Sheridan have each, in very different ways, helped tell the Texas story — one through the preservation of our history and treasured places, the other through the power of storytelling that has brought Texas and the American West to audiences around the world."

Quadruple-threat filmmaker Sheridan is most widely recognized for his award-winning neo-Western TV series Yellowstone and its associated spin-offs 1883, 1923, Marshals, and Dutton Ranch. Raynor hailed Sheridan for his success in bringing a "remarkable new dimension to the way the world sees Texas and the American West."

"As a creator, writer, director, and executive producer of some of television’s most successful series, he has captured the imagination of audiences across the globe while bringing the people, landscapes, traditions and enduring spirit of the West into millions of homes," she said. "And he does more than tell the Texas story — he lives it, as a native Texan, accomplished horseman and steward of two legendary Texas ranches."

Nau is the former chairman and CEO of Silver Eagle Beverages, one of the largest Anheuser-Busch distributors in the U.S. Raynor said Nau's "commitment to preservation" extends further than his protection of Texas historic sites "to the stewardship and conservation of the land itself, including his bay area lodge in south Texas and his ranch in west Texas."

"[Nau's] leadership and lifelong dedication to history have earned him national recognition, but perhaps his greatest legacy is his determination to ensure that the stories and places that shaped Texas endure for generations to come," Raynor said.

A release estimates about 450 "business, political, and community leaders" attend the Texas Independence Day Dinner each year, and proceeds will benefit the Bullock Museum's educational programs and special projects.

The 2027 Texas Independence Day Dinner will take place March 2, 2027, at the Bullock Museum in Austin. A VIP reception will start at 6:30 pm, followed by a 7 pm reception, and 7:30 dinner and program.

Taylor Sheridan is gifting his creative archive to Texas State University.

Photo by David Becker/Getty Images for Paramount+

Taylor Sheridan is a 2027 recipient of the History-Making Texan Award.

taylor sheridan galas awards ceremony texas texas historical commission bullock museum yellowstone awards

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Puppies and paparazzi steal the spotlight at SPCA of Texas Fur Ball

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history in the making

Taylor Sheridan to be honored with legendary Texas award in 2027

Taylor Sheridan is gifting his creative archive to Texas State University.