Last Chance Animal Rescue Hosts 4th Annual Martinis for Mutts Fundraiser

There is nothing better than a mid-summer lawn party with chilled martinis, especially when adorable mutts are involved. Last Chance Animal Rescue had the right idea with its 4^thAnnual Martinis For Mutts fundraiser in the Hamptons that brought together celebrities, adopters and donors on the grounds of Michael and Marcy Warren’s estate in Water Mill, New York on July 14, 2012.

Last Chance Animal Rescue (LCAR) is a 100% volunteer run non-profit that has been saving lives since 2008. LCAR’s mission is to rescue animals in kill shelters trapped on death row in rural areas that are still using inhumane methods such as gas chambers or heart stick. These adoptable animals are killed each day because of legislative deficits, lack of resources and limited chances of adoption.

Witney Brooke Knowlton, Founder and Executive Director of LCAR personally drives to shelters in South Carolina, Georgia, etc., to save pets on death row. The animals are rescued regardless of age, breed or general health. In a pamphlet provided to guests at the event, Knowlton stated, “I am a believer in the ideals of a No Kill Nation and believe that pet overpopulation is a myth. Studies have proved that there are plenty of homes for these animals. But it requires work.”

Celebrities who came to support Last Chance Animal Rescue’s work at the Martinis for Mutts event included Real Housewives of New Jersey’s Dina Manzo with her two legged puppy mill survivor Chihuahua named Gracie, and Wendy Diamond, Leading Pet Lifestyle expert and founder of Animal Fair magazine who recently hosted the most expensive pet wedding for her new rescued dog Baby Hope.

Photo by Lavanya Sunkara

Real Housewives of New Jersey’s Dina Manzo attended Martinis for Mutts with her two legged puppy mill survivor Chihuahua named Gracie

Wendy Diamond was fostering four year old Baby Hope while her beloved dog Lucky Diamond was fighting cancer. She said she wasn’t sure she wanted to get another dog at the time, but is very glad she did. “When Lucky passed away, I was blessed to have Baby Hope. I think it’s best that people actually adopt right away,” she said. Recently, Diamond hosted the Guinness Book Award winning most expensive dog wedding for Baby Hope and a groom picked by Facebook supporters to honor Lucky and raise more than 50k for the Humane Society of New York’s Lucky Diamond Critical Care Ward.  

Among the other guests at the event included foster moms and their furry babies. Last Chance does not have a shelter, but puts the rescued animals in foster care before finding them forever homes. Two of the foster moms in attendance at the Martinis for Mutts brought their mixed black labs, and were hoping someone would bring these lovable cuties home. Wendy Burokas, was clearly smitten with her foster puppy Roscoe who was rescued from a kill shelter in South Carolina. “It will break my heart when he gets adopted,” she said of the playful pup. Burokas already has a dog, but started fostering recently to help Last Chance. “If I get another one, it’s another life changed. I wish more people did it,” she said.

Photo by Lavanya Sunkara

Wendy Diamond, Leading Pet Lifestyle expert and founder of Animal Fair magazine recently hosted the most expensive pet wedding for her new rescued dog Baby Hope to honor Lucky Diamond and raise funds for Humane Society of New York's Lucky Diamond Critical Care Ward

Attendees in their finest summer outfits didn’t mind getting up close and personal with the adoptable dogs and reach into their pockets to bid on auction items. Monique Wisniewski, owner of Spa Unique in South Hampton Gym, was attending Martinis for Mutts for the first time and was happy with all the elaborate gifts being auctioned off to help raise funds. Sports to entertainment memorabilia, a week-long trip to an Italian villa, gift certificates to the finest establishments in the Hamptons and tickets to next year’s Grammys were auctioned at both silent and live auctions to raise money for Last Chance’s animal saving mission.

“It’s an $800 day for us, but it’s worth it,” said Delores Nicoletti, who came with her family to Martinis for Mutts. Nicoletti adopted an Australian Shepherd mix puppy named Piper from Last Chance a few years ago. Nicoletti had a Husky for 14 years, and was hesitant to get another dog when the dog died.

Photo courtesy of Delores Nicoletti

Australian Shepherd mix puppy named Piper was recued by LCAR from a kill shelter in South Carolina. Piper is now happy and healthy with her forever family.

When Nicoletti's children attended a Last Chance adoption event, the family ended up bringing Piper home. “She’s really the most beautiful dog,” Nicoletti gushed, and told me she will be driving to Massachusetts with her family the following weekend to see Zeus, a Great Dane mix dog. Zeus was recently rescued by Last Chance Animal Rescue and is in need of foster care. “We will probably end up keeping Zeus,” she said.

To learn more and make a donation, please visit Last Chance Animal Rescue website.