Emancipet's Annual Gala

November 8 @ 6 pm – 11 pm; VIP Reception begins at 5 pm
The LINE Austin, 111 East Cesar Chavez St., Austin, TX 78701

Join Emancipet on Saturday, November 8 for Tails of Time: Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present, Shaping the Future

Thanks to our generous supporters, the Annual Gala is Emancipet’s largest fundraiser, supporting our mission of making veterinary care affordable and accessible to everyone. This event celebrates all that Emancipet has accomplished, and helps raise funds for our essential life-changing and oftentimes, life-saving, veterinary services throughout Central Texas and beyond.

The Annual Gala will Feature:

A VIP Reception for sponsors, honorees and special guests including Noodles, Austin’s famous dog
A welcome cocktail reception with open bar and a delicious seated dinner
Entertainment – including dueling pianos – and activities including flash tattoos, a silent auction, and a live auction with Biddy Up
An unforgettable program – Hosted by Emmy Award-winning KXAN weather forecaster Jim Spencer – honoring 26 years of transforming lives through accessible, affordable veterinary care—featuring inspiring stories, special surprises, and heartfelt moments that celebrate our mission!
Spectacular program curated Emmy Award-winning producer Debra Davis
After-party featuring Tito’s Handmade Vodka martinis
Guests to Emancipet’s Annual Gala will receive 15% off their stay at The LINE Hotel Austin (best refundable rate) with code: Emancipet25

Attire for the Annual Gala will be Austin Chic.

Gala Honoree

Missy McCullough

At this year’s gala, we are proud to honor Missy McCullough, a lifelong animal advocate and founder of Animal Trustees of Austin (ATA). Widely known as the mother of animal welfare in Austin, Missy led ATA for over 20 years with unwavering dedication to affordable veterinary care. In 2016, ATA and Emancipet joined forces—merging missions, staff, and facilities to expand access to care across our community. Now part of the Emancipet team, Missy continues her compassionate work for pets and their people. Her positivity, devotion, and lifelong commitment to animals in need have left an enduring legacy in Austin and beyond.

We will also honor some dear friends of the organization who have helped mark our present and future.

Emancipet Gala Chairs

Gay Gaddis

Carol Adams

Jamie Barshop

Live Auction

VIP Austin Blues Experience

Get ready for the ultimate Austin music experience! First, enjoy VIP weekend passes to the Austin Blues Festival at Waterloo Greenway, featuring icons like Jimmie Vaughan, Gary Clark Jr., Brittany Howard, Mavis Staples, and Buddy Guy. Then, it’s The Jungle Show with Billy Gibbons — your name on the Antone’s marquee, VIP guest list access, a reserved table, and even a photo with Billy himself! Before the show, indulge with $250 at Uchi, and after the music, relax with a 2-night luxury stay at The LINE Hotel, complete with suite upgrade, parking, dining credit, and stunning Lady Bird Lake views. This is Austin music at its very best — who’s ready to bid?

The estimated fair market value of goods and services included in the Blues & Views: Austin’s Music Scene is $1,200. Your gift is tax-deductible to the extent that this exceeds the fair market value of your item(s) received.

A Night with Missy McCullough

Dinner with Missy & 7 guests at Fonda San Miguel

Step back in time with a one-of-a-kind package you won’t find anywhere else! This package features a historic piece of art from the early days of Animal Trustees of Austin—one of the first “Petcaso” paintings, created by none other than Sheryl Crow’s horse. Signed by Sheryl Crow.

Celebrate Austin’s animal-loving legacy with an intimate dinner for 8 at the iconic Fonda San Miguel, and take home a signed copy of their brand-new cookbook. To complete this nostalgic adventure, you get a special guest: Missy McCullough herself.

The estimated fair market value of goods and services included in the Petcaso & Plates: A Nostalgic Austin Experience is $6,150. Your gift is tax-deductible to the extent that this exceeds the fair market value of your item(s) received.

KXAN Backstage

Step into the exciting world of live broadcasting with this VIP insider tour for 4 of Austin’s own KXAN-TV studios! Enjoy a private guided tour of the newsroom and sets, then meet the anchors and reporters who bring you the news every day. Spend pre-broadcast time with an anchor or meteorologist as they prep for the live show, and see the fast-paced action of a newscast unfold right from inside the studio. To top it off, you’ll even get your own off-air camera time — sit in the anchor chair, stand at the weather wall, or grab a fun photo to remember your big moment. Whether you’re a news junkie, an aspiring journalist, or just curious about how it all works, this exclusive experience is your all-access pass to Austin’s leading news station. Go behind the scenes at Austin’s leading news station—this is your chance!

The estimated fair market value of goods and services included in the KXAN Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Experience is $500. Your gift is tax-deductible to the extent that this exceeds the fair market value of your item(s) received.

Best of Austin

Get ready for the ultimate Austin adventure! Spend an unforgettable weekend soaking up the sights, sounds, and flavors of the city. Kick things off with two 3-day passes to ACL Weekend 1, where you’ll experience world-class live music. Keep the fun rolling with two passes to the Moontower Comedy Festival, featuring top comedians and side-splitting laughs. Savor Austin’s culinary scene with a $200 gift card to Uchi, perfect for an elevated sushi experience, and a $100 Hopdoddy’s gift card for famous burgers and craft shakes. After enjoying music, comedy, and delicious food, unwind with two nights at the Austin Motel, a charming and iconic downtown boutique stay. This ultimate weekend getaway combines adventure, entertainment, and great eats.

Tulum Allure

Bask in barefoot luxury with a 4-night retreat for up to 6 guests in a chic private villa in Tulum’s exclusive Aldea Zama. This modern escape features a state-of-the-art swimming pool, rooftop plunge pool, and private terrace with a covered lounge—perfect for sunsets and stargazing. Just minutes from the beach and Downtown, it offers both seclusion and style. In Tulum, enhance your stay with optional private chef services and enjoy the convenience of Premium Guest Services for seamless trip planning.

12 months to book and 24 months from event date to travel. Airfare not included. Cannot be redeemed on Easter, Christmas, and New years weeks.

The estimated fair market value of goods and services included in the Paradise Found: Tulum Villa Vida is $5,500. Your gift is tax-deductible to the extent that this exceeds the fair market value of your item(s) received.

Aspen Escape: Gourmet & Grandeur

Experience the ultimate Aspen escape! Spend 7 nights with five guests in a luxurious 3BR/3BA downtown condo with sweeping Ajax Mountain views, steps from ski lifts, fine dining, lively bars, and boutique shopping. Time your trip for June to immerse yourself in the Aspen Food & Wine Classic, featuring celebrity chefs, master sommeliers, and world-class tastings just minutes from your door. Includes a $500 MML gift certificate to be used at Las Montañas, MML’s Aspen restaurant, and a prime mountain-side location — the perfect mix of adventure, luxury, and Aspen glamour.

The estimated fair market value of goods and services included in the Aspen Escape: Gourmet & Grandeur is $10,500. Your gift is tax-deductible to the extent that this exceeds the fair market value of your item(s) received.

Portugal Indulgence

Recently named one of the world’s best cities by Travel & Leisure, Porto is a sophisticated escape where history, culture, and indulgence meet. Nestled along the glittering Douro River, the city enchants with cobblestone streets, tiled façades, and sunsets best savored with a glass of world-class port. Your experience includes four nights for two couples in a lavishly restored 2BR/2BA Art Nouveau apartment blending antiques with modern elegance and a wrap-around terrace, a private yacht cruise along the Douro, an intimate Fado performance paired with port wine, and seamless concierge booking service—just 30 minutes from the airport.

12 months to book and 24 months from event date to travel. Airfare not included. Cannot be redeemed on Easter, Christmas, and New years weeks.

The estimated fair market value of goods and services included in the Portugal Indulgence: A Porto Getaway is $7,410. Your gift is tax-deductible to the extent that this exceeds the fair market value of your item(s) received.

Gems of Mexico

Escape to paradise with a 7-night stay for four at The Mayan Palace in Riviera Maya, Nuevo Vallarta, or Puerto Penasco, Mexico—where lush jungle meets white-sand beaches along Mexico’s stunning Caribbean coast. Unwind in a spacious Studio Master Suite and enjoy access to multiple pools, gourmet dining, a luxurious spa, and championship golf nearby. From lazy days by the beach to the thrill of Cirque du Soleil JOYÀ, this experience offers the perfect balance of relaxation and excitement.

Sponsor This Event

Join Emancipet on Saturday, November 8th to Celebrate and Raise Funds for Affordable Veterinary Care.
Become a sponsor for the largest Emancipet event of the year – spots fill up early, secure your spot soon as possible!
Today, there are over 60 million beloved pets across the country whose families cannot access or afford veterinary care.
With your help, we’re changing that. By supporting Emancipet and our Annual Gala, you will help us reduce the barriers to accessing affordable veterinary care for Central Texas pet families who cannot afford the rising costs of care.