Let’s make tails wag, and hearts leap with joy at this year’s gala event!
You are cordially invited to join us for our Annual Festive Fundraiser as
OHIO PET CHARITIES presents “MISTLETOE & MUTTS”
Friday evening, December 4th – 7-9:30pm
SPONSORED BY
Roger Willcut, Principal
This year, we’ll be at the beautiful OSU Longaberger Alumni House, located at 2200 Olentangy River Road. This special evening will feature great food and beverages, a Silent Auction, exciting raffles, and lots more, all to benefit OPC’s Furry Friends Fund, which provides lifesaving veterinary care for qualifying pet owners who need financial assistance. Your support helps us create brighter futures for pets and strengthen animal welfare efforts throughout our community.
We are also extremely grateful for the generous support of
The Longaberger Family Foundation
and
Donations of Auction Items and Gift Cards are now being accepted for this event. If you have something special that you would like us to include on the list of great items that will help us raise money,
please email: elizabeth@ohiopetcharities.org
Sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information, please contact Matt McClain at matt@ohiopetcharities.org
GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY
PATRON TICKETS - $65 per person
VIP TABLE FOR 8 - $480 per table
Enjoy an evening filled with holiday cheer, including delightful wine selections from ONEHOPE Winery, along with beer, soft drinks, and water. Your ticket also includes heavy appetizers and sweet treats. The fun continues with an exciting silent auction, great raffles with valuable prizes, and some fun surprises. Come celebrate the season with fellow animal lovers while making a meaningful difference in the lives of pets in need. Together, we can create a night filled with joy, generosity, and hope.
“WOOF & WITCHES at THE WAG” A HOWLING SUCCESS!
This year’s annual festive fall event was held on Sunday, October 4th, at a new location - THE WAG – PEOPLE BAR AND DOG PARK in Grandview Heights. From 12noon – 3pm, hundreds of animal lovers and their adorable pets gathered in the beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces at this new venue for an OPC event. There were dozens of pet rescue organizations and pet-oriented businesses on hand, with attendees enjoying so many great activities, including our themed photo booth, free nail trims, a Reptile and Insect encounter, face painting, and free pet grooming, all while grooving to the festive tunes being spun by our great DJ. We also collected pet food donations to support The Ohio Animal Foundation’s Tackle Pet Hunger 2026 Drive. The afternoon culminated with another great Halloween Costume Parade with prizes given to the best costumes for both humans and their pets. Here are some photos from this year’s event:
A HAPPY UPDATE ON SCRAPPY
(A FURRY FRIENDS FUND SUCCESS STORY)
Some dogs come into a rescue carrying visible scars.
Others carry the kind of scars you can only imagine.
In our May newsletter, we shared the story of Scrappy, a four-month-old pit bull puppy who was rescued from a neglectful owner, by Blessing Animals Pet Pantry. This sweet boy was in urgent need of veterinary care. OPC’s Furry Friends Fund came to his rescue with a $1,000 grant to cover his emergency medical care. But that was just the beginning of his journey towards true love and happiness with his forever family.
As we reported previously, as a young puppy, Scrappy endured heartbreaking neglect and trauma. His tiny teeth were worn down from desperately chewing at the cage he was trapped inside. His body carried the overwhelming smell of living in his own waste for too long. An old injury left his head permanently crooked, giving him a tilted smile that quietly tells part of the story of what he had survived. And yet, despite everything, Scrappy still had the capacity to love.
Scrappy leans into gentle hands. He trusts people. He wants comfort, kindness, and affection — things every dog deserves but he was denied for so long. When his rescuers stepped in, the team at Hollywood Feed in Bexley immediately opened their hearts and doors to help give Scrappy the care he desperately needed, including a soothing bath and supplies to begin his healing journey. Some effects of neglect cannot be washed away in a single day, but for the first time in a long time, Scrappy was safe. There was even a small miracle waiting for him: despite having no vaccine history and living in terrible conditions, Scrappy tested negative for heartworm. His vets monitored his progress closely and were encouraged by the fact that through every challenge, Scrappy continued to show resilience, gentleness, and a heart full of love.
Now, after six months of medical treatments, steady progress, and living in foster care, where he was given patient training and learned basic good behaviors, Scrappy finally has something he may never have known before — hope. And because of volunteer rescue, excellent veterinary care, and the support from the Ohio Pet Charities (OPC) Furry Friends Fund, Scrappy got a second chance at the life he always deserved.
We saw Scrappy in late August at our event sponsored by VEG – and he was doing so much better, with his foster parent – although she reported that he was still having some resource guardian issues at that time. Shortly after that, the good people at Canine Collective helped Scrappy find his very own family, with a compelling ad on their website. It worked – and Scrappy is now living his best life with his new owners in his happy forever home!
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
How very lucky and happy we are to welcome two new members to the Ohio Pet Charities Board! This couple brings their professional expertise and personal passion for pets to our work as we promote animal welfare in Central Ohio! Welcome Arica and Ryan!
ARICA HIXENBAUGH, Board Member, Treasurer
Arica has been a lifelong animal lover with an urge to make a difference in the community. When given the opportunity to support a pet focused Charity, it was a great fit! She is grateful for the opportunity to support a cause that makes a difference in the lives of animals and the people who love them. rica has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Shawnee State University and has spent her entire career in public accounting. Through her professional experience, she’s developed a strong appreciation for organization, financial responsibility, and helping organizations succeed. She is eager to put those skills to use as the volunteer treasurer for this wonderful organization and support its mission of helping animals. When she’s not working or volunteering, she enjoys spending time with her family and her Scottish Terrier, Harry, who keeps life entertaining.
RYAN HIXENBAUGH, Board Member, Treasurer
Originally from Michigan, Ryan has been an animal lover for as long as he can remember. Growing up with dogs, including several beloved family rescues, he has always appreciated the joy, companionship, and unconditional love that dogs bring into our lives. His lifelong love for animals inspires his support of helping pets in need and giving them the loving homes they deserve. Ryan graduated from the University of Toledo with his Masters in Accounting. After graduating, Ryan moved to Columbus where he is a Shareholder in a Public Accounting firm. Serving as the Treasurer for Ohio Pet Charities merges his professional experience with his love and desire for helping pets. In his free time, Ryan is an avid fan of Detroit sports teams and enjoys spending time with friends, family and his Scottie Dog, Harry.
“Building Bridges Between Our Community and Pets in Need”
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