The Haven, a Baldwin County animal rescue organization, will hold its 2026 Tails of Hope Gala on Thursday, October 1, at the Daphne Civic Center, bringing together animal lovers, business leaders and community partners for an evening benefiting homeless pets across the county.
This year’s gala carries an art-gallery theme, with organizers transforming the civic center into an immersive space where adoptable animals and their rescue stories take center stage alongside a live auction, food, music and other fundraising activities. The event is built around the idea that every rescued animal has a story worth telling, and every dollar raised helps fund the next chapter of that work.
Entertainment for the evening will be provided by Mr. Big & The Rhythm Sisters, a band known for high-energy jazz, R&B and audience interaction that has performed at previous Haven fundraisers. Cherish Lombard and Glenn “Qtip” Johnson of Cumulus Media, both longtime supporters of the organization, will return as emcees for the gala.
The Haven has operated as a lifesaving animal welfare organization in Baldwin County since 2000, working to reduce the population of homeless pets through medical care, vaccination clinics and spay-and-neuter services. In 2025 alone, the organization reported providing $63,112 in medical care, administering 1,898 vaccines and performing 473 spay and neuter surgeries for animals in its care.
Organizers say proceeds from the Tails of Hope Gala go directly toward funding those kinds of programs, along with adoption efforts that place rescued animals into permanent homes. Ticket sales, sponsorships, donations and auction proceeds all factor into the event’s fundraising total.
Business sponsorships are open now and offer visibility before, during and after the gala, including on printed event materials. Businesses and individuals interested in becoming sponsors must confirm by August 15, 2026, to be included in that printed recognition. The Haven is also accepting donated items for the evening’s live auction, which organizers describe as one of the most anticipated parts of the gala and a chance for local businesses to gain exposure to an engaged crowd of bidders.
Residents interested in attending, sponsoring, donating or volunteering can contact The Haven directly for ticket and sponsorship details as the October 1 date approaches.