Hot Auction Action!

Pet-lovers flocked to the photographic auction hosted by the Humane Society of New York tonight, held at the dance studio and art center of Mikhail Baryshnikov, on West 37th Street. During part one of the evening, a live auction, the glamorous crowd bid on photos by Bruce Weber, Herb Ritts, Mary Ellen Mark, Annie Leibovitz and others. Eighteen images were sold in all, raising roughly $100,000 for the benefit of New York's neediest animals. Sandra DeFeo, the Society's devoted and tireless co-executive director, watched over the proceedings with well-deserved pride. Vegetarian fare (naturally) was served as attendees at the packed venue mingled and admired the roughly 200 other photographs up for sale at a silent auction. Proceeds from both the live and silent auctions will benefit the Humane Society's veterinary clinic as well as the Vladimir Horowitz & Wanda Toscanini Horowitz Adoption Center.The action really heated up (literally) when just before 9:00, a fire alarm sent champagne-swilling art lovers (some of them also toting dogs) down four flights of stairs and into the street. Firefighters--sans dalmatians--responded quickly and established that there was no cause for concern.Bidding on the silent auction items continues until midnight Thursday, April 19. For more info or to bid, visit: www.humanesocietyny.org %%showphotos [setid=72157603234959433]%%