By Sarah Wyatt
Special to the West Seattle Herald

Catsino, the annual benefit event hosted by Furry Faces Foundation, was back on April 7. The event featured 16 table games, all to benefit local animal charities including Community Cat Coalition, Regional Animal Services of King County, and Animal Aid and Rescue Foundation. The event was held at Beveridge Place Pub located at 6413 California Avenue Southwest.

“This is our fifth year and this event just keeps getting better,” explained Teri Ensley, coordinator of the event. “People are smiling, laughing and cheering the whole time!”

Whimsical games including Studless Draw, Texas Snip ‘em, Pig Craps, and K9 Blackjack were featured at sponsor tables.

Robinson Newspapers and the West Seattle Herald sponsored a table, including a $250 vacation prize that was won by West Seattle resident Suzanne Youngs.

“My husband and I are going to use this prize to take a vacation for our 25th anniversary,” Youngs explained. “We come to Catsino every year because we want to see no more animals suffer. If everyone is responsible with their animals, we’d see an end to homeless animals.”

More than 70 people paid $25 for “Catsino dollars” and hors d'oeuvres including a spicy artichoke spread and chocolate-covered strawberries. A silent auction featured items as diverse as Beatles memorabilia and a bottle of mescal promoted by Seattle Mariners legend Edgar Martinez.

Local animal groups displayed adoptable animals, and shared their rescue stories.

New Seattle resident J.C. Chupack, a Chicago native, enjoyed the casual setting and the silent auction.

“I enjoyed the chance to try a lot of new games for a reasonable price,” Chupack said. “The setting is casual and it’s held at a great bar-pub. I’m a big supporter of animal causes and I like the charities at this event, especially Community Cat Coalition, because they focus on spay and neuter.”

The event raised more than $4,500.

“We actually don't set a goal, because it is about more than just raising funds,” Teri Ensley explained. “This event is a gift to our community. It's an opportunity to meet, and learn more about animal rescue and advocacy groups, and our local business people that support humane treatment of animals.”

Silent auction donors included:
Ventana Construction
Lien Animal Clinic
Dream Dinners of West Seattle
Courtesy Tire
Kokoras Greek Restaurant
A Better Roofing Company
Jan's Beauty Supply
West 5 Restaurant
Greentree Animal Hospital
Beveridge Place Pub
Sugar Rush Baking Company
Trader Joe's
ArtsWest
Clementine Shoes
Liberty Bell Printing
Experience Music Project
Rock Wood Fired Pizza and Spirits
Seattle Aquarium
Addiction Pet Food
Merrick Pet Food

Table sponsors included:
Hotwire Online Coffeehouse/Texas Snip 'em
Robinson Newspapers/Editor's Choice Blackjack
Feedback Lounge/Studless Draw
Regional Animal Services of King County/100K Challenge Catsino War
Conscious Choice Chiropractic/Dice 21, Mice You Better Run
Animal Aid and Rescue Foundation/Pig Craps
Ventana Construction/Nail 'EM
Pet Elements & Hands to Paws Massage/K9 Blackjack
Two Beers Brewing and The Beer Junction / Beer Brain Pete
Washington Beer Blog / Under and Over Seven
Community Cat Coalition / Black Cat 21
Georgetown Brewing Company / Mega Craps

For more information about Furry Faces Foundation, visit www.furryfaces.org.