Video Awards Gala to Benefit Stamford Animal Shelter

Outreach to Pets In Need (OPIN), an all-volunteer organization devoted to helping and homeless pets throughout Connecticut, will hold its second annual Pet Tail Video Awards on April 15 at 6:30 pm at .

“It’s the best $60 in town,” Heather Scutti, the event’s chairwoman, told Patch. “100 percent of the funds go right to the animal shelter.”

The Pet Tail Video Awards, also called Jasper's Video Awards, are named for the first animal that OPIN rescued from the shelter. Last year’s event drew over 200 people, including many families, animal lovers, movie lovers, and people who support OPIN.

This year, OPIN received close to 50 submissions in this year's and three finalists will be chosen for each of the following categories: Best Pawformance, Best Bell-Rubbin’ Comedy, Best Musical Tail, Best Real Life Tail, and Best Rescue Tail.

"We look for creativity and for videos that really involve the pet. The pet doesn't have to be talented or do a trick or anything, we look for overall appeal, things that appeal to everyone," Scutti said.

In addition to the video awards, there will also be a silent auction, raffles, and door prizes. Mayor Micahel Pavia and other community guests will be there to speak about OPIN's work and several dogs from the shelter will be there to meet guests and perhaps to find their new homes.

"It's a chance for everyone to come and see what we're all about," Scutti said. "Proceeds go to our programs to help the shelter, training classes, medical assistance — if there's a sick animal in the shelter who gets adopted, we'll continue to pay for their medications...we really want to continue that."

Tickets and additional information about OPIN's Video Awards are available on their website.