PETaPOTTY.COM Blog

October 06, 2009, 10:1AM MT
By Ted Brewer, Best Friends staff writer
This year’s Best Friends Lint Roller Party was one befitting the 25 years of saving lives, and the 25 more years to come.

Back in 1991, Francis and Silva Battista would sit at a card table in front of a market in West Hollywood and ask people to donate to an organization the couple had helped found, an organization that ran a no-kill animal sanctuary in southern Utah.

The mission of that organization — to save as many animals as it could from having to enter shelters and face euthanasia — is still very much the same, but the size and scope of its impact have come a long ways, to say the least, in the 25 years Best Friends has been in business.

Just how far the organization has come since those card table days was made rather evident at the 16th annual Lint Roller Party, held Saturday night, Oct. 3, at the iconic Hollywood Palladium to benefit the work of Best Friends’ Los Angeles Programs.

Live and silent auctions, an award ceremony, video presentations, vegetarian buffet catered by Wolfgang Puck, psychic readings, a wheel of fortune, caricature drawings, a rocking live performance by the Bangles and a bevy of other attractions and fundraising events drew a sweeping array of supporters, members, and benefactors from all over the country to the party. Approximately 600 people attended the event.

“We are celebrating 25 years of saving lives,” said Best Friends co-founder and interim CEO Gregory Castle in his opening remarks to the evening’s presentations. “With your help, we’re saving lives all over the country…. It wouldn’t have been possible without the support you’ve given us.”

Among those in the audience were a host of celebrities, including Lisa Edelstein from the television series “House.” Edelstein delivered the anniversary toast.

“A million thanks to all the founders of Best Friends,” Edelstein said. “We love you and appreciate you, and we’re so happy to be here.”

Other celebrities to walk the red carpet and pay tribute to Best Friends included Phyllis Smith from “The Office,” Monty Python’s Eric Idle, Amy Smart from the film “Mirrors,” Rachelle Lefevre from the film “Twilight,” Anna Faris from the “Scary Movie” series, M.A.S.H.’s Loretta Swit, film and television legend Robert Culp, as well as veteran actor and newly elected president of the Screen Actors Guild, Ken Howard.

Also there to pay tribute to Best Friends, especially to our work in Los Angeles, was the city’s mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa.

The anniversary celebration wasn’t just about looking backwards, but also of looking forward in anticipation of what the next 25 years will bring,” she says. “I think people [at the party] were inspired not just about the work we’ve done, but about the work we’ll continue to do in the future.”
What can you do to help? Give the Gift of a Best Friends membership to family and friends.

Baha Men sang “Who let the dogs out” on the red carpet for PETaPOTTY

Devon Guzzi’s birthday party and grand opening of EMPIRE CLUB September 25, 2009 was the place for Johnny V to crash an interview to get Baha Men to give PETaPOTTY a little shout out! “Who let the dog’s out” Baha Men performed live later that night at the Empire lounge in Hollywood. …
David Hasselhoff’s Ex Wife, Pamela Bach, from Baywatch was hanging out and bevy of beauties showed up to see the birthday boy or was it Baha Men?

BOW WOW WOW HOWLYWOOD WAS GREAT NIGHT OF CHARITY, COMEDY, & CELEBRITIES! Much Love Animal Rescue’s events have always had the best auctions and this year was no exception. You have never seen an auction like this! If you enjoy getting deals on travel, spas, fine dining, jewelry, hot motorcycles, nice cars, and visiting the sets of TVs hottest shows – the auction tables at Bow Wow WOW Howlywood is where you want to be. You can shop guilt free knowing that 100% of the Much Love auction proceeds go towards the care of our animals.

They had a Dream trip for two to SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA with airfare, hotels and tours – provided by the new V Australia and Travelscene, a 2009 XL 1200C Harley Davidson – from Bartels’ Harley Davidson
and a week at Casa Del Mosaico, a private villa in Durado, Puerto Rico, just to name a few.

Celebrities like Denise Richards, Jerry O’Connell, Tori Spelling showed for the cause. This year’s summer event honored Priscilla Presley, Carole Raphaelle Davis, Carole Sax and Jacob Fenton for their efforts to rescue animals.

A well-heeled Brentwood lady, who spent more than $11,000 at the massive silent auction. BrownHot Events produced a stunning evening that included…

RUBBING ELBOWS: Little Friends Photography

Getty Images

Beverly Hills Groomer follows hot on the heels of Gromer Has It’s first season’s success and stars our friend ”Groomer of the Year” Artist Knox.

Artist Knox has big dreams. And they might seem unlikely for a kid who grew up in a rough south central, Los Angeles neighborhood trying to overcome what fate dealt him. Coming off his impressive victory on Animal Planet’s Groomer Has It last year and equipped with his winnings, Artist wants to strike while the iron’s hot and open his own dog grooming salon and school. Determined to prove that an underdog can be the top dog in the highly competitive grooming industry while still giving back, Artist decides to bring his infectious charm, signature style and grooming skills to the ultra chic streets of Beverly Hills. But will the wealthy throngs of Rodeo Drive welcome him with open arms? With $50,000 in his pocket, a mobile-grooming truck and his trusty dog Bumpy by his side, Artist begins his quest to make his dreams a reality on Saturdays at 10 PM e/p.

Last nights airing featured Brandon Hochman the founder of Skybark and the inventor of PET A POTTY the portable pet waste stations for indoor and outdoor use. Look for Brandon and PETaPOTTY on E! in the next couple of weeks where Brandon set up a E! Exclusive at Skybark for most pampered of them all. Tyson & Tillman, Preston, Roco, Kia, Nacho and a ton more Celeb Pups.

Los Angeles based PETaPOTTY flies to New York and takes on 3000 dogs in a week at the 133rd Westminster dog show. They say if you can make it there you can make it anywhere, well PETaPOTTY definitely made it there. Let the urine flow. From The hotel Pennsylvania’s Penn Top Ballroom where 300+ dogs used the PETaPOTTIES to the Hotel Pennsylvania’s green room where the PETaPOTTIES accommodated 3000+ dogs. The PETaPOTTIES managed to contain tens of gallons of urine in their lower trap pans. Top Dogs from around the world converged on the Hotel Penn’s green room to use the facilities ranging from potty facilities to dog grooming stations to doggy masseuses. It was a raging river of urine and the PETaPOTTIES withstood the torrent. The hotel was so happy with the performance of the PETaPOTTIES that they spread several units around the hotel in key dog traffic areas.

While in town PETaPOTTY owner/creator Brandon Hochman took in the entire Westminster Dog Show. He was able to rub elbows with all the top dogs including last year’s winner Uno. Brandon and Uno bonded and had many in depth conversations about dog’s potty needs.

The entire Westminster week was a huge success for PETaPOTTY. PETaPOTTY plans to make an annual pilgrimage to the event and become part of the Westminster tradition.