The Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation (SASF) honored Cathy Bissell with the Lifetime Achievement Award and Dave Portnoy, along with his rescue pup Miss Peaches, with the Animal Welfare Award and SASF Paws of Purpose Award at their 15th Annual Unconditional Love Gala on July 20, 2024. The gala was a glamorous evening featuring live entertainment, a gourmet dinner, and a silent auction, raising funds to support the shelter’s mission of providing medical care, food, shelter, and love to animals in need.
“We were honored to recognize Cathy Bissell for her lifelong commitment to animal welfare,” said Jordan Lippner, Chair of the Board of Directors at SASF. Cathy Bissell, founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation, has impacted the lives of nearly 750,000 pets and directed over $30 million to shelters and programs supporting animal welfare.
Cathy Bissell expressed, “I am deeply honored to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from SASF. This recognition reaffirms the importance of our collective efforts in advocating for animal welfare and is a testament to the lives we have saved. Together, we can continue our critical work to find every pet a loving home.”
Dave Portnoy, recipient of the Animal Welfare Award, shared his excitement, saying, “Miss Peaches and I are thrilled to be part of this wonderful event. Our goal is to find as many loving homes for dogs as sweet as Miss Peaches.”
The gala, a premiere fundraising event for SASF, plays a vital role in supporting the Foundation’s mission to nurture the bond between humans and companion animals through education, advocacy, and adoption. Notable attendees included: Cathy Bissell, Dave Portnoy, Miss Peaches, Jordan Lippner, Brooke Shields, Grier Henchy, Jill Rappaport, Alan Brown, Luisa Diaz, Ramona Singer, Bo Dietl, Bradford Rand, Jean Shafiroff, Ann Liguori, and Scott Vallary.
About the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation (SASF):
The Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation (SASF) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that relies on donor and volunteer generosity to care for homeless animals and place them in loving homes. The shelter provides a haven for strays, neglected, abandoned animals, and dogs from the puppy mill industry. SASF offers housing, food, medical treatment, training, and rehabilitation for animals in need.
About Cathy Bissell:
Cathy Bissell, founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation, is dedicated to solving animal welfare challenges. Her foundation has impacted nearly 750,000 pets since 2011. Cathy’s programs, including Fix the Future™ and Empty the Shelters™, address veterinary care access and pet adoption. She ensures every dollar maximizes its impact, supporting a network of over 6,000 shelters across all 50 states.
