Cat Adoptions and Administration are located at The Cat Box, 3015 46th Ave. N, St. Petersburg FL 33714. Dog adoptions, MEOW Now, foster, intake, and donation drop off are located at 2911 47th Ave. N, St. Petersburg FL 33714.

Wags & Whiskers: Cheshire Cat Ball

save the date!

Saturday, March 14, 2026

Lealman Exchange Community Center
5175 45th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33714

Check back soon for updates!

We hope you will join Friends of Strays at our 6th Wags and Whiskers Gala. We have shifted our annual event to be held in the spring. The 2026 gala theme is based on the classic tale, Alice in Wonderland. Join us at the Cheshire Cat Ball for a night of fun, fantasy, and on-theme surprises throughout the night! Feel free to dress for the theme and add to the fun! 

The Wags and Whiskers Gala is our largest fundraiser of the year and is vital to our organization, providing much needed support for daily operations and special projects. Thank you in advance for supporting our mission to end pet homelessness in Pinellas County, the Tampa Bay area, and throughout Florida. 

silent auction donations

Have a business, product, experience or service people love? We curate wonderful silent auctions featuring local businesses and experiences, everything from staycations in Dunedin to self-care packages in St. Pete and more. Contact Jon, jon@friendsofstrays.org, to donate to the silent auction!


Sponsorships

Ready to connect your business to an audience of passionate animal lovers? Our gala sponsorship packages offer a variety of brand exposure for your company, as well as great perks (like VIP hour!). Contact Jon, jon@friendsofstrays.org, to secure your sponsorship!

Presenting Sponsor: Queen of Hearts Sponsorship $10,000

This is our premier sponsorship. We will only be offering one sponsorship at this level. The presenting sponsor will have the opportunity to address the attendees to talk about their organization and kick off the Gala with a 'Welcome' toast. The sponsor at this level will be billed as the Presenting Sponsor on all event-related print and social media material, including the following: 

  • Recognition shout-outs on social media and targeted emails as "Wags & Whiskers: Cheshire Cat Ball, Presented by _______"
  • Full-page ad in event program
  • Logo on event invitation (if sponsorship is purchased in time for print - sent out in January)
  • Ad Placement and Logo on event web page
  • Full-page ad in event program
  • 16 tickets (two tables); VIP reserved seating; upgraded table signage
  • VIP Recognition at event
  • Welcome Message to Gala Guests
  • Access to VIP cocktail hour for all guests
  • Twenty Chance Drawing Tickets
  • 2 drink tickets per guest 

Mad Hatter Sponsorship $5,000

  • 4 sponsorships available at this level
  • Recognition in print/electronic promotional materials
  • 1/2 page ad in event program
  • Logo on event web page
  • Recognition during event
  • Ad placement on event web page
  • VIP reserved seating with table signage and 8 tickets to event
  • Access to VIP cocktail hour for eight guests at 6pm
  • Ten Chance Drawing Tickets
  • 2 drink tickets for each guest 

Wonderland Sponsorship $2,500

  • 8 sponsorships available at this level
  • Recognition in print and electronic promotional materials
  • Logo on event web page
  • 1/4 page ad in event program
  • Recognition during event
  • VIP reserved seating with table signage and 4 tickets to event
  • Access to VIP cocktail hour for four guests
  • Five Chance Drawing Tickets
  • 2 drink tickets for each guest

White Rabbit Sponsorship $1,000

  • Unlimited sponsorships available at this level
  • Recognition in print and electronic promotional materials
  • Logo on event web page
  • Logo in event program
  • Recognition during event
  • 2 tickets to event
  • Access to VIP cocktail hour attendance for two guests
  • Two Chance Drawing Tickets
  • 2 drink tickets per guest

Very Merry Un-Birthday $500

  • Unlimited sponsorships available at this level
  • Recognition in print and electronic promotional materials
  • Name listed in event program
  • Recognition during event



REGISTRATION #: CH1759. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE TO THE EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW.