Pet Network Lake Tahoe Announces the 28th Annual Fur Ball: The Pet Gala

Ask of the Year: “Level up your shelter. Level up your community.

Pet Network Lake Tahoe is proud to announce the return of its signature annual fundraiser, the Fur Ball Gala, reimagined this year as The Pet Gala—a black-tie celebration of iconic New York style and philanthropy.

This year’s theme, The Pet Gala, invites guests to dress to impress and show up for something bigger: helping Pet Network strengthen shelter care and expand vital community programs that keep animals healthy, safe, and homeward bound.

The Impact You’ve Made—Because You Showed Up

Thanks to generous community support, Pet Network has already leveled up lifesaving care in powerful ways, including celebrating over three years of the Community Hospital, completing a surgery and treatment remodel, replacing the roof, upgraded ventilation throughout the facility, and adding a CT scan to support more advanced care, and soon a generator to ensure safety and comfort through every storm.

What’s Next: Leveling Up Care and Community Support

Funds raised at the Fur Ball Gala this year will help Pet Network take the next step forward, investing in faster diagnostics, expanded access to veterinary guidance, and programs that strengthen the bond between people and pets.

Key areas of focus include:

Advanced diagnostic equipment to help diagnose more quickly and treat more effectively, including tools like PCR testing, a pathology camera, and a sequencer. 

Currently, animals with signs of infectious disease must be quarantined for an average of Four days as we wait for pathology results. This equipment allows for same-day results, in-house, reducing stress and length of stay for shelter animals. This technology will also be used to serve community pets, allowing same-day diagnostics for common ailments and illnesses, including masses, canine influenza, and so much more, reducing uncertainty and accelerating treatment.

Telemedicine access to a Veterinarian, 7 days a week, offering peace of mind and support for fosters, adopters, shelter pets, and Community Hospital clients

Continuing education for staff, ensuring compassion is matched with the best skills so every outcome improves, increasing the pipeline of talent in animal sheltering, and empowering the shelter community

Training classes for adopters, alumni, and the broader community—supporting long-term success and strengthening the human-animal bond.

Humane education programs like summer camp and Petiquette, teaching youth safe, responsible interactions with animals while strengthening community resources.

Expanded support staff and services, helping increase capacity, access, and affordability of care for all.

Food Bank support, serving community members who need help keeping pets fed and in loving homes–no cost, no questions asked.

The Ask of the Year

Level up your shelter. Level up your community. Pet Network is calling on supporters, sponsors, and local businesses to help power the next level of lifesaving care through the Fur Ball Gala. Every ticket, sponsorship, and donation helps ensure more pets receive the highest available standard of care and more families have the resources to keep the pets they love. This milestone would not have been possible without the instrumental support of the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation, whose generosity continues to shape animal welfare in Tahoe and beyond. Alongside individual donors and community champions, their investment helped turn vision into reality. The Foundation has committed to a $100,000 donation match at the Gala to support this new equipment and these lifesaving programs.

About Pet Network Lake Tahoe: Pet Network Lake Tahoe, an AAHA Accredited 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which encompasses Pet Network Humane Society and Pet Network Community Hospital, is a premier veterinary practice and animal welfare organization dedicated to saving lives, promoting wellness, and strengthening the bond between pets and their families. As a leader in shelter medicine, rescue, and adoption services, Pet Network serves the Lake Tahoe community and beyond with comprehensive medical care and a deep commitment to animal welfare.