5th Annual Benefit for Grateful Paws

ALIBI, WILTON MANORS
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18

Uwe Schroeder and Wolf Cuff brand fashion accessories present the fifth annual benefit for the Grateful Paws dog and cat rescue in Fort Lauderdale. The benefit will be held at Alibi (2266 Wilton Dr., Wilton Manors) on Wednesday, March 18, starting at 6 p.m.

Why do you do the Wolf Cuff benefit every year for Grateful Paws?

Because of my mom, I have been involved in benefits and volunteer work from my childhood and she taught me to focus on one charity you are very passionate about; mine is Grateful Paws. I got my Doberman boy from GP and the story how is heartwarming but too long for this. Besides, most local rescues communicate and network with each other so by helping GP I help other rescues as well. I do, however, donate cuffs for other benefits.

I love GP because it’s a no-kill rescue. No salaries and no overhead from a costly shelter building, so all the money goes to the animals and foster homes which provide, in my opinion, a much better, loving environment for a rescue animal than a cold kennel.

What’s your goal for this year’s benefit?

The goal for this benefit is the goal we have every day, every year: to save as many animals in need as we can. I don’t set myself a fixed dollar amount for success. I know that at the end of the night, GP will walk away with some money and that will automatically translate into saved lives. Rescues can be very costly. They take in injured pups or some with unknown health conditions but GP will do all the medical procedures possible to get a dog/cat healthy again before adoption. So a single animal can be in the hundreds, even thousands, but at the end… rescue is the best thing that was ever started because there is a 100% success rate. Every adoption is a 100% success. If we do well like in previous years, it’s possible to break $50,000 in five years. That would make me very happy!

How does someone become a foster?

That is very easy. Just contact us at GratefulPaws.org and be willing to open your loving home and heart to an often abused and/or neglected animal. I won’t lie to you, some fosters are easily trained, well-behaved, etc., and some might need some more TLC to get them back on track.

Also (and that’s why many don’t foster) there will be tears when a permanent home is finally found for your foster and you have to say goodbye. But to mention my mom again, “Some tears become diamonds for your soul.” Rescue tears definitely do.

Starting at 6, there will be a VIP cocktail reception. VIP tickets cost $20 and can be purchased by e-mailing info@gratefulpaws.org or at the Georgie’s Alibi/Monkey Bar anytime. The event will open to the general public at 8 p.m., when a silent auction and a 50/50 raffle will be held, with all proceeds going to Grateful Paws. The raffle, which costs $20 per ticket, will be an eight-day, seven-night cruise for two from Holland America Cruise Lines. Keep in mind that there will be a limited number of tickets sold and there is no expiration on the cruise. The winner gets to choose destinations and dates and the winner does not need to be present to win. “The Majestic Getaway…” (Value for two up to $5,000) 8 days/7 nights – Oceanview accommodations (upgrade available). Your choice of dates and destination: Alaska, Caribbean, Mexico or Canada/New England. Your journey will include extraordinary dining, spacious staterooms, elegant surroundings and days filled with new discoveries and gracious pampering by an award-winning crew. (Upgrades, tax, on-board charges, shore excursions or hotel service charges (gratuities) are not included.) To buy a raffle ticket, e-mail Grateful Paws at Info@GratefulPaws.org or call them at 954-462-8840.

Finally, at 9 p.m. will be showtime, hosted by Nikki Adams, with the stars and talents of the Alibi staff. The performers will be donating their time and tips in support of Grateful Paws.

Grateful Paws is a 501(c)(3) non-profit no-kill dog and rescue organization serving South Florida. Workers for Grateful Paws are all-volunteer who have their own day jobs, and come together out of love and concern for neglected animals. Grateful Paws depends on foster families for rescued animals until each animal can find their “forever family.” The bulk of the outreach and work done at Grateful Paws is done nightly and on the weekends, since nearly every person involved works elsewhere during the day. Jan Milbyer founded Grateful Paws in 2006 and still serves as its president. To view the animals available for adoption, or to donate directly to Grateful Paws, visit gratefulpaws.org.

Uwe and Grateful Paws would like to thank the many businesses on and off the Drive that came together to sponsor this event and show that they are part of the community.