SAN DIEGO–Celebrating another year of lifesaving work for animals, the Petco Foundation will host its seventh annual Hope Gala on June 20 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in downtown San Diego.
This year the event will honor Emmy Award winning TV/film actress and producer Katherine Heigl and her producing partner and mother, Nancy Heigl, with the Hope Award for their longtime efforts as animal activists.
Each year the Petco Foundation recognizes an individual or group that has made a significant impact improving the lives of animals with the Hope Award. This year the Hope Award will be presented to Katherine and Nancy Heigl for their longtime efforts and commitment to animals through the Jason Debus Heigl Foundation, a nonprofit they founded. The goal of the Foundation is to solve the homeless pet problem through sterilization, adoption and relocation programs. Previous recipients of the Hope Award include Hilary Swank, Betty White and Ellen DeGeneres.
In addition to honoring Katherine and Nancy’s dedication to animal welfare, the Petco Foundation will present a $100,000 grant to the Jason Debus Heigl Foundation to help the organization continue its lifesaving work.
“We are humbled and honored to be the recipients of this year’s Hope Award,” said Katherine Heigl. “The Jason Debus Heigl Foundation was established out of love—for animals and for my brother, Jason, who loved all creatures. I am so proud to join the Petco Foundation in celebrating the common goal that we all have to make a difference in animals’ lives.”
The Petco Foundation will also honor one deserving animal welfare organization with the Paul Jolly Compassion Award, named for the Petco Foundation’s first executive director. The award honors his commitment to helping animals by recognizing an organization that has made a significant, lifesaving impact. This year the award goes to the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter, an open-intake shelter that has held a 90 percent save rate since October 2010. As part of the award, the shelter will receive a $75,000 grant from the Petco Foundation to help continue its important work.
The Hope Gala is the Petco Foundation’s largest event of the year, recognizing impactful work in animal welfare and bringing together hundreds of animal lovers for an incredible celebration of the work done to improve animals’ lives. This year’s theme is “A Celebration of Love” and in addition to dinner and entertainment, the gala will feature a Rescues and Runway Fashion Show showcasing animals available for adoption from the San Diego Humane Society.
“Each year, the Hope Gala allows us to shine a light on individuals and organizations that are doing incredible things to help animals,” said Susanne Kogut, executive director of the Petco Foundation. “This night is a celebration of our shared love for animals, and our honorees perfectly exemplify what a powerful motivator love can be in creating impactful change. We applaud Katherine and Nancy Heigl and the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter for their continued commitment to helping animals live the lives they deserve.”
For more information about the Petco Foundation, visit petcofoundation.org.
