Paws 2025: Mission Pawssible was a heartwarming success. Supporters of the Humane Society of Sarasota County (HSSC) enjoyed an afternoon full of entertainment, food, fun, and philanthropy at the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota on April 11, 2025.

Mission Pawssible Co-Chairs, Caryn Wilbraham and Liebe Gamble spoke at the event—as well as HSSC CEO, Anna Gonce and HSSC Board President, Janet Boyden. Wilbraham and Gamble shared from the heart about why they support the organization, while Gonce and Boyden emphasized the organization's goal to save 5,000 lives in 2025.

Overall—the event raised $321,945 for homeless cats and dogs.

Read more about the event in the Observer.

The Humane Society of Sarasota County (HSSC), the area's premier no-kill shelter, is the recipient of a $7,500 grant from Petco Love—a national nonprofit leading change for pets by harnessing the power of love to make communities and pet families closer, stronger, and healthier.

The investment in HSSC's lifesaving mission is part of a larger strategy by Petco Love to power local animal welfare organizations across the country toward a future in which no pet is unnecessarily euthanized. It's a vision HSSC is extremely passionate about—as we are already working strategically with partners across Florida to advance no-kill efforts across the state.

In 2023, the organization reached nearly 3,000 total lives saved—finishing the year at 2,929. That number includes animals like Dodge. Dodge came to HSSC from an overcrowded shelter in rural Florida without the resources or funding to care for him. His life was at risk, and HSSC was able to save him.

This grant from Petco Love will help us save even more animals like Dodge in 2024.