On the night of Saturday, May 16, there is no cuter or more fashionable place to be than at RoundTop Rifle Hall as the most stylish pups in town and their owners take the catwalk in Vanity Fur – the 2026 Mutt Gala Fashion Extravaganza benefiting Gardenia E. Janssen Animal Shelter.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, this annual gala and fundraiser welcomes more than 300 people each year to support one of the town’s local nonprofits that does so much for the animals of the area. Just last year in 2025, Gardenia E. Janssen Animal Shelter took in 1754 dogs and cats, and saved 1703 of those lives. Not all heroes wear capes, and Gardenia E. Janssen Animal Shelter is a true testament of that work. Now, on May 16, the community has the opportunity to come together and help continue funding their efforts.

The gala will also be a celebration for the new Executive Director, Tiffany Reid, who will be taking the position after volunteering with the organization for many years as beloved current Executive Director Teresa Brown retires and moves into a Board of Directors role. It’s the perfect event for Brown to start with, as she herself has walked her dog before and will also be a model this year, walking her “foster fail” that she adopted in February.

Each year, the shelter and volunteers “go above and beyond,” notes Reid, to bring the event to life. From a red carpet to a Grand Marshal (the previous year’s Best of Show winner) to runway models decking out their outfits to ensure perfect coordination with their pups, it’s an event not to be missed. 10 new dogs will walk as models this year, including two adoptable dogs who will be walking with a volunteer (if you’ve been thinking it’s time to add a new furry family member, it’s never been a better time), for a total of 13 dogs taking the stage.

Of course, what’s a fashion show without awards? Model dogs and their owners will have the chance to win in six categories, including “Best Ears,” “Best Wiggle Butt Strut,” “Best Tailwagger,” “Best Duo,” “Most Fashionable,” and “Overall Best in Show.” If those aren’t the cutest awards you’ve ever heard!

Guests will also enjoy a “Taste of Round Top” (a curated lineup of local restaurant favorites) along with drinks, both a live and silent auction, and so much more as they partner together to save the lives of local dogs and cats.

The 2026 Mutt Gala Fashion Extravaganza is sure to give the real Met Gala a run for its money. Get tickets HERE.

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