By Janet McAfee
Loving All Animals invites animal lovers and “foodies” alike to attend their annual fundraiser, Spay-Ghetti & No Balls, on Thursday, November 21, 5:00pm to 8:00pm at the Biggi Bird Gardens in Palm Desert. Enjoy a delicious pasta dinner from Eight4Nine Restaurant, live musical entertainment, and fabulous silent auction items while you mingle with other animal lovers. Proceeds go to Loving All Animals, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to helping our homeless pets.
Loving All Animals’ Executive Director, Mike Phipps-Russell, reports, “2019 is a very exciting year for Loving All Animals so far. There is much to celebrate as we head to a record number of rescued and adopted animals. We acquired the Pet Rescue Center shelter at the close of 2018. Many structural improvements were needed at the shelter, and funding is needed to help with the ongoing facility remodel. We look forward to seeing long-time friends as well as new folks at this year’s Spay-Ghetti event.” After acquiring the Pet Rescue Center, Loving All Animals expanded their operations to include dog sheltering in addition to their ongoing life-saving foster program for dogs and cats.
Musical entertainment will be provided by Peter Douglas Wergley. Loving All Animals’ own Mary Ewing will entertain with some wonderful songs. The delicious menu includes Caesar salad, gourmet pasta, vegetarian meat balls, homemade garlic bread, cauliflower side dish, and cannoli for dessert.
“Spay-ghetti No Balls” spreads the message that everyone needs to spay and neuter their pets in order to curb the pet overpopulation problem. The vast majority of dogs and cats Loving All Animals rescues as abandoned strays or from public shelters are not sterilized. Many of them have no prior veterinary care. The organization provides spaying & neutering, vaccinating, microchipping, needed surgeries, and a host of other veterinary services before their animals go to “furever” homes. Some of the animals were abused and/or frightened and benefit from training and loving care.
This year’s extravaganza is back at the beautiful BG Bird Gardens estate in Palm Desert after two years at the Palm Springs Air Museum. The BG Bird Gardens is a desert gem resembling a South American tropical rainforest. The estate was designed as a haven for animals and the humans who love them. A focal point in the spacious yard is the live flamingo lagoon where the statue of a black panther perches on the above rocks observing the birds below. Two thatched roof bars dispense beverages to guests. Owned by Gino and Lindi Biggi, the estate amazes first time visitors. Lindi founded Loving All Animals in 2008, and though she retired as President Emeritus in 2017, Lindi graciously donated her home as the venue for Spay-Ghetti 2019.
Loving All Animals describes their mission, “Our mission is to join with other local and national animal welfare organizations to maximize programs to stop the killing of adoptable animals.” Come out on November 21 and meet their staff, volunteers, foster parents, and rescue dogs. Enjoy the evening while you donate to a good cause.
Reservations are required, and this event always sells out. Tickets are $85, or tables for 10 may be purchased for $765. Call (760) 834-7000 or order online www.lovingallanimals.org. Loving All Animals is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit, and their tax ID# is 26-384119. You may bring your well behaved dog kept on a leash. This event is a must for Coachella Valley animal lovers!
