Gaspar’s Grotto in Ybor City, FL, was THE place to be this past December. True, I was a little underdressed (that’s me, far right) for TampaPets.org’s Bones & Booty benefit, but that didn’t stop me from presiding over the raffle prize table (folks won pet boutique gift certificates, tickets to Disney and Busch Gardens and more, all contributed by local businesses) and watching pets get their photos taken with Santa.

The best part? Funds raised went to benefit TampaPet’s biannual expos, where many local organizations bring dogs and cats for adoption. A whopping 809 pets found new homes at the 2009 adoption expos. Can you say “What a way to raise community awareness about animal control, shelters, rescue groups and adoption”?!

Oh, and all attendees got a cool gift bag, too. I love a party where everyone gets to shake their booty, har har har.

P.S. Psssst, shelters, here’s a good idea to try out: Explains TampaPets.org’s president, Cory Cooper, “We did a chance raffle—where you draw for a prize when you buy a ticket. These generate more participation and are always successful.”

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