The results are in – Cape Coral Animal Shelter raised more than $31,000 at third annual PJ’s and Paws — A Night at the Shelter to benefit the animals. On Feb. 17, participants gathered to cuddle with the resident cats and dogs while raising money to support the life saving work of the shelter.

The pajama party featured 20 representatives of local businesses dressed in their finest pajamas and spent the night with the animals. Participants were matched with one of the resident canines or assigned a cat manor and encouraged to decorate their ‘suite’ to impress their ‘date.’ The humans played and cuddled with their new best friends and even had them paint beautiful abstract canvases (with the help of a little bit of peanut butter). At the end of the night, when all was quiet, everyone was tucked in, and our residents were getting an idea of what it will be like when they find their new forever home.

While each participant was outstanding, Brittney Probeck representing Galeana Chrysler Dodge Jeep raised the most money, followed very closely by Ashley Hammons representing Fight Corp and Tina and Charlie Blair representing Up In Smoke — Cape Coral.

“Our first PJ’s and Paws was a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Liz McCauley, executive director. “Since our fundraisers were cancelled or postponed, we had to find creative ways to raise much needed funds while still being able to social distance. We felt this was a fun way to raise money and awareness for our adoptable animals. Much to our amazement, we raised just shy of $100,000 in three years. It is a lot of fun, and it has now become one of our signature events.”

On a side note, one of our participants, Dr. Cecilia Fisher from Cape Coral Pet Vet and her family fell in love with Sundial and came back to adopt him the next day. Every year, at least one animal finds a forever home at this event — an added bonus to a special evening.

Participants included:

Angela Maus, Wicked Dolphin Distillery

Jessica Walker, Markham Norton Mosteller Wright and Company, P.A.

Mitzie Lerner and Jessica Schwebel, Clean Xpert Pros, LLC

Dr. Cecilia Fisher, Cape Coral Pet Vet

Tina & Charlie Bair, Up In Smoke of Cape Coral

Brittany Probeck, Galeana Dodge Jeep Fiat

Taylor Petras, WINK News

Ashley Hammons, Fight Corps

Kasey Carpuso, Pet Dental Center

Diana Nieves and Frances McGinley, Frances Scissor Hands

Nicole Touchette, Century 21 Selling Paradise

Stephanie Ramos and Danielle Somerville, Specialists in Companion Animal Neurology

Lisa Petruska, Premier Plus Realty Company

Gretchen Cuthbertson, Cape Coral Animal Shelter

Patti Rome, SWFL Parrothead Club

Krista Fogelsong, McQuaid Company

Vivian Tsovoios, EXP Realty

Elianne Onoz, Assess Title of Florida

Shelley Moore, Berkshire Hathaway Florida Realty

Barbara “Sadie” German, 96.9 WINK FM and Alliance Financial Group

Source: Cape Coral Animal Shelter