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Community Heroes: The Woman Behind the Wags
Kathy Girling made sure that the Austin Humane Society’s “Rags to Wags” fundraiser
went off without so much as a whisker out of place!
An evening of canine couture and feline finery, the Austin Humane Society's (AHS) second annual “Rags to Wags” benefit on October 20, 2007, raised over $260,000 and included a V.I.P. reception, silent auction and cocktail hour, awards ceremony and an interspecies fashion show. Parties of this size are major productions—but Rags to Wags went off without a hitch, thanks to the hard work of volunteer event chair Kathy Girling and her amazing organizing committee.
Born and raised in Austin, Girling is a lifelong animal lover whose family has always adopted pets from AHS or the city’s Town Lake Animal Center. “Both of my parents were social workers, and there was a lot of animal activity in our house when I was growing up.” Girling learned early on to care for, nurture and love animals—especially those in need of a little extra TLC. “Being there for animals in need and supporting agencies that care for them and nurse them back to health is really part of the culture I grew up in. After participating in Rags to Wags last year, I was so excited to be named chair in 2007.”
To say Girling is a busy woman would be an understatement. She’s the mother of three young girls, owns a clothing boutique and sits on the boards of several organizations, including the Austin Symphony and Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central & South Texas. However, none of this stopped her from immersing herself in planning Rags to Wags: with the help of her 20-member planning committee, Girling found a venue, enlisted local celebrities to walk the runway and, hoping that exposure would lead directly to adoption, made sure that this year’s dog models were AHS shelter dogs. (The plan worked—every dog who was in the Rags to Wags fashion show has been adopted!) Girling’s store, Envie Boutique, also furnished the fabulous outfits worn by the women in the fashion show.
“I really enjoy getting a chance to let people know how they can help animals in need,” says Girling. “AHS is a safe haven and I think they do a great job.” As it turns out, the feeling is mutual—AHS has already asked Girling to take the helm again in 2008. And happily, she’s already on board!
Event chair Kathy Girling kicks off the Wags to Rags fashion show on October 20.
More Austin Community Heroes:
Sew Far, Sew Good!
Austin's pet-crazy girl scouts created handmade toys and beds for the shelter cats at Town Lake Animal Center.
Round Rock Rocks!: On August 31, 2007, 42 ill and malnourished Chihuahuas and a lone Great Dane were removed from a home in the Austin suburb of Round Rock. Shutting down this breeding operation was a long, involved process that illustrates the dedication and commitment of Round Rock's animal control officers.
Austin's Go-To Girl: Can one person really make a difference? The folks at Town Lake Animal Center admit they'd be "pretty lost" without volunteer Lee Ann Littrel.
Del Goss: Not Your Average Cat Lady!: One of Austin's leading "cat ladies" is Del Goss, a burly retired electrician who eats well and prefers margaritas to Earl Grey.
An AM:O Community Hero
After learning about Austin-based EmanciPET, from her mom, Wendi, Jillian decided to raise money for the non-profit spay/neuter clinic by baking and selling homemade treats for people and their pooches.
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