United Country Auction Services President and Auctioneer Mike Jones (right) with radio personality Ron Chapman of Paul Harvey News and Comment together to raise money for SPCA of Texas.

Dallas, TX — This year’s theme for the SPCA of Texas Fur Ball 2008 was “Disco for the Dogs” and it was hopping at the Hilton Anatole hotel in Dallas September 27 as patrons celebrated their 70th anniversary in grand style with special awards, comedy, music and live and silent auctions. Organizers tapped some heavy weights to raise this year’s goal of $250,000 to help supplement the groups $8 million dollar operating budget dedicated to animal services.

The evening kicked off with Lifetime Achievement Awards followed by Honorary Sponsors, the Dallas Cowboys Women’s Association who teamed up with players and the Gene & Jerry Jones Family Charities to help raise funds and awareness by creating a game called Poker for Pets which was a huge hit.

The Voice of SPCA Award was presented to radio personality Ron Chapman. Chapman has spent over 45 years in radio and is now heard by over 23 million listeners each week as the “fill in voice” for the venerable Paul Harvey’s News & Comment heard on over 1200 stations in the ABC Radio Network.Then it was time to raise money with the Live Auction and WFAA Channel 8 News Anchor Debbie Denmon who emceed the event turned it over to professiona

l auctioneer Mike Jones, President of United Country Auction Services who handled the bid calling duties for the evening.A few of the evenings Live Auction highlights included 24 Cases of Exotic Wines $11,000, Dallas Mavericks game package for 18 fans, $3750; Dallas Stars Sky Box for 18 fans, $4000 and a Dinner Club package at some of Dallas’ finest restaurants fetching a respectable $5,500.

The event was a huge success according to Event Chair Tricia Linderman and organizers are already planning for 2009.

SPCA facts: SPCA of Texas has reached the $7 million dollar mark of its $10 million dollar capital campaign to build a new facility in Dallas. The group dedicated to animals is funded solely through private donations. In 2007 SPCA of Texas found new homes for 9,682 animals, performed 22,194 spay/neuter surgeries and wellness visits in our low-cost clinics, rescued 7,874 animals through Rescue & Investigations Team and continued to educate the community about responsible pet ownership, including classes at the new Pet University.