about Furball

Furball is Baton Rouge’s Annual Premier Pet-Friendly Gala. This event supports Companion Animal Alliance, the nonprofit open-intake animal shelter for East Baton Rouge Parish. CAA operates as the only open-intake animal shelter in East Baton Rouge Parish, caring for more than 9,000 animals each year including cats, dogs, wildlife, livestock, and other house-pets. CAA’s mission is to reduce the number of animals entering shelters by providing resources to owners, increasing spay/neuter efforts, treating animals humanely, finding forever homes, and returning lost pets to their owners. Since the first Furball in 2013, more than $1 million has been raised to further CAA’s life-saving efforts for the animals in our community. Furball takes place annually in April preceding CAA’s busiest seasons: spring, when numerous litters of unwanted kittens are born; and summer, when the shelter sees an annual surge in the numbers of animals it takes in.

Furball features a royal court of dogs and their owners, who walk the runway competing for top honors as Furball King & Queen. Prior to the event, court and committee members recruit local businesses, organizations, friends, family, etc. to sponsor the event. Court members also raise money in their pet’s name through our “Rock the Vote” donation platform. Whoever raises the most amount of money, in addition to the sponsorships they’ve secured, wins the title of Furball King or Queen!

The event is what you would expect from any other black-tie gala, plus more! What sets Furball apart from other galas is our pet-friendly environment! Attendees are invited to purchase a ticket for their pet so that they can tag along and see the dogs on the catwalk! The event starts with CAA’s shelter highlights for the previous year. From there awards are announced for members of the community that have made a positive difference in CAA’s life-saving efforts. Following the awards is a live auction with lots of big-ticket items. Then we have what everyone comes for: dogs on the catwalk! The royal court members take turns walking the catwalk and strutting their mutt with their handlers. Following the presentation the winners are announced: King & Queen, Prince & Princess, Duke & Dutchess, Earl & Countess, Baron & Baroness, and last but not least, Lord & Lady. Court members earn their titles through their respective fundraising efforts.