|
Hollywood
star and musician Keanu Reeves brought
his band Dogstar with bandmates Bret
Domrose and Rob Mailhouse, to Houston on
Sunday for PetSet’s 2026 Le Brunch, an
afternoon that brought together
celebrities, Houston leaders,
philanthropists and animal advocates in
support of the organization’s mission to
end companion animal homelessness.
Held at Thompson Houston, the annual
fundraiser raised more than $1.5 million
and featured a star-studded guest list
that included actors David Chokachi, Amy
Bailey, Danielle Vasinova, Isaiah
LaBorde and Marie Wetherall, alongside
Houston Mayor John Whitmire, and other
community and business leaders.
The afternoon culminated in a special
performance by Dogstar, giving guests an
opportunity to see Reeves, Domrose and
Mailhouse take the stage together
following an afternoon focused on the
animals and communities at the heart of
PetSet’s work.
This year’s Le Brunch theme, “Farther,
Together,” reflected PetSet’s belief
that meaningful progress on animal
homelessness requires people and
organizations to bring their resources,
perspectives and strengths together.
“We were thrilled to welcome Keanu,
Dogstar and so many incredible guests to
Houston for an afternoon that was
ultimately about something much bigger
than any one person,” said Tama
Lundquist,
Co-President of PetSet.
“The energy in the room was a beautiful
reflection of what can happen when
people come together around a cause they
believe in.
We are incredibly grateful to everyone
who helped make this year’s Le Brunch
such a special celebration of the work
still ahead.”
The event also honored Cathy Bissell,
founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation, with
PetSet’s 2026 honor recognizing her
extraordinary commitment to animals.
Bissell has become one of the nation’s
leading voices for collaborative,
prevention-focused solutions to animal
homelessness.
Through initiatives including Empty the Shelters, BISSELL Pet Foundation
has helped save more than 400,000 animal
lives and through the Fix the Future ®
initiative they have funded more than
500,000 spay
and neuter surgeries. .
“Cathy has changed countless lives
through her commitment to animals, but
what we admire just as much is the way
she brings people together
around solutions,” said Tena Lundquist
Faust, Co[1]President
of PetSet.
“Her leadership is an incredible example of what it means to go farther,
together.” The afternoon also featured
one of PetSet’s most
personal celebrations:
Gabrell and Hopper received PetSet’s
2026 Community Hero Award.
Gabrell’s compassion and actions changed Hopper’s life, serving as a
reminder that extraordinary change can
begin with one person simply choosing to
stop, care and help.
The event showcased the impact of
PetSet’s supporters over the
organization’s 20-year history.
PetSet has helped fund lifesaving work
at more than 120 animal welfare
organizations, expanded access to spay
and neuter care, vaccines and emergency
medical treatment, and helped move
thousands of animals out of overcrowded
shelters and into loving homes.
Le Brunch featured a curated silent
auction and live auction experiences
before concluding with Dogstar’s
performance, which includes items such
as a VIP Texas gameday.
Reeves, Domrose and Mailhouse joined the
celebration as PetSet closed the
afternoon by thanking the supporters,
partners and advocates who continue to
make its work possible.
For more information about PetSet and Le
Brunch, visit
www.petset.org.
ABOUT PETSET
PetSet is a Houston-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that gives,
connects, and advocates for lasting
solutions to alleviate suffering and end
companion animal homelessness. PetSet
accomplishes its mission through direct
programming and by supporting
organizations that are making a
measurable impact in the community
|