Molly Gaudreau says “Vanity Fur” grew out of a simple truth in the rescue world: pregnant and nursing dogs rarely have a place to go.
Most shelters don’t have the space, staffing or biosecurity to care for vulnerable mamas and their litters. Almost There: A Mom + Pups Rescue was built to fill that gap. The Phoenix-based nonprofit hosts its sixth annual fundraising gala at Wrigley Mansion on Friday, Nov. 6.
Instead of a long-seated program, Almost There Rescue has a mix‑and‑mingle celebration with live music, photo moments, and four or five litters of puppies greeting guests between bidding rounds. The pups, often from Almost There Rescue’s Puppy Preschool, are the unofficial stars of the event, she said.
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The rescue’s 300 volunteers help bring the night to life, from décor and logistics to puppy wrangling. For Gaudreau, who started as a volunteer before joining the development team, the event reflects the mission’s heart.
“Ever since I started as a volunteer, I just loved our mission. I love everything that we stand for,” she said.
This year’s catering comes via Pizza to the Rescue, the neighboring Phoenix pizza truck owned by ATR founder Geri Hormel’s husband, Hunter.
The business donates 25% of its sales to the rescue and regularly hosts adoptable puppies on its patio. The partnership has become part of the organization’s culture.
Auction items range from sports memorabilia, and fitness passes to mahjong sets, bikes, and high‑end travel packages, including ski trips to Park City and Jackson Hole. Guests typically arrive in “black tie with flair,” leaning into jewel tones and playful touches that nod to the Vanity Fair‑inspired theme.
The $200 tickets support Almost There Rescue’s specialized care for pregnant mamas, nursing dogs, and puppies who spend an average of eight weeks receiving medical care, socialization, and training before finding their forever homes.
Hormel founded Almost There Rescue after what was missing in the rescue world. According to Gaudreau, she was told rescues lacked the facilities and staff/volunteers for pregnant and nursing dogs.
“We need to make sure that the mamas can stay with their pups for four or five weeks in a big enough kennel and continue to nurse them,” she explained
“We needed the proper biosecurity standards in place to take care of that vulnerable population of super young pups and new mamas.”
The dogs are kept at Almost There Rescue for an average of eight weeks, during which the pups participate in “Puppy Preschool” and create personalized, force-free training programs for the mamas to prepare them for life after the shelter. Each dog is altered, microchipped, and up to date on vaccinations before adoption.
“The only way we can keep doing this important work is through raising funds through fundraisers like this,” Gaudreau said.
“It’s a really important event for us, and tickets are still available. Sponsorships are still available. Donations for the auction. So there are a lot of different ways to get involved, and you can either reach out through the website.
