What: Houston SPCA Howl-O-Ween Ball
Where: Houston SPCA Equine Rescue Arena
PC Moment: You gotta love native Houstonian Dennis Quaid. The actor, musician, singer and all around good guy posed endlessly for photos with VIP guests during a SPCA Howl-O-Ween Ball that brought in $1.2 million for the nonprofit‘s work in rescuing, rehabilitating and protecting animals across the Gulf Coast region. Joining Quaid in the spotlight was Peaches, his miniature English bulldog, who was so chill that at one point during the photo ops, the dog fell asleep.
Peaches at Houston SPCA’s 2026 Howl-O-Ween Ball (Photo by Wilson Parish)
In brief remarks to the gathering, the evening’s honorary chair recalled his days growing up in Houston’s Bellaire neighborhood and attending Bellaire High School. Quaid’s closeness to the cause was driven home by the fact that as a kid his first two dogs — including his beloved basset hound Gertrude — came from the Houston SPCA.
Before the night was over, Quaid charmed the audience further by joining the band Doppleganger on stage to sing “Riders in the Storm.”
Joanna Hartland joins the ‘Paws Up’ fundraising at Houston SPCA’s 2026 Howl-O-Ween Ball (Photo by Wilson Parish)
Grace and George Lane chaired the fundraiser that honored Alan Rosen, the popular Constable of Harris County Precinct 1. While many among the Halloween themed event wore costumes, Rosen dressed professionally in his uniform and the Lanes stepped out in more formal attire. Also on stage was KHOU Channel 11’s Great Day Houston host Deborah Duncan who reprised her role as emcee.
SHOP
Grove Hill
Eighteen Forty Two
MacKenzie-Childs
Verdadero Tequila
Pecos Jane
Zilker Belts
Zilker Brewing
Hutson Clothing Co.
Zadok Jewelers
The night rocked on during the after-party when many among the 425 attendees shifted to the Adoption Center where they enjoyed desserts and specialty cocktails while their heartstrings were tugged by the adorable adoptable puppies and kittens.
Kristi Gilliam, John Putnam, Yoon Smith in the crowd at Houston SPCA’s 2026 Howl-O-Ween Ball (Photo by Wilson Parish)
PC Seen: Zane and Brady Carruth, Patricia E. Mercer, Frank Billingsley and Kevin Gilliard, Edna Meyer-Nelson, Hershey Grace, Michelle Mantor, Kandace G. Longoria, Amy Hoechstetter, Judge Roberta Lloyd, Don McWilliams, Tommy Harper, Tracy LeRoy, L.D. Eckermann, Connie M. Bergen, Annie and Bob Graham, Amy Gould, Fady Armanious Bill Baldwin, Joanna Hartland and Frank Edgerly, and Heather and Jeff Firestone.