The 10th Annual Furball “Boots, Black-Tie & Best Friends: A Western Extravaganza” Presented by Jenkins Subaru of Ocala Is Set for February 2026 at WEC
04 DEC 25 Ocala, FL
By: VOCAL
Dust off those boots, straighten that black tie, and get ready to showcase your best formal western attire for the 10th Annual Furball gala hosted by VOCAL at World Equestrian Center – Ocala. The date is set for February 27, 2026, and the event “Boots, Black-Tie & Best Friends: A Western Extravaganza” presented by Jenkins Subaru of Ocala promises to be a fun and exciting evening.
The theme for 2026 includes a touch of western style, a first for the Furball, which organizers say is a natural fit for the venue. The Furball is the signature fundraising event for Voices of Change Animal League (VOCAL) and is the must-attend affair of the season. Tickets are now on sale for the Furball, and all proceeds will help the non-profit care for animals in need and curb the number of homeless pets in the community.
“The Furball is our signature fundraising event and sets the tone for another year of lifesaving. Eleven years ago, when we founded VOCAL, Marion County felt a lot like the wild west as far as animal welfare was concerned. We have worked to create an organization that was built directly around the needs of this community, and have given our clients stability and hope, with affordable services that keep their beloved pets healthy and happy,” said Kate Rengel, VOCAL Executive Director and Co-Founder.
Rengel added, we look forward to expanding our impact as our county’s population grows, and know we can be there for even more pets and their families with help from our generous supporters, who astonish us each year with their giving.”
In 2016, the effort by VOCAL to prevent the overpopulation of unwanted pets in Marion County, Florida, has grown into a full-fledged community resource today focused on helping pet-parents take care of their fur babies. VOCAL has evolved to provide a community pet clinic, pet food bank, along with a rescue and adoption program. And the need for these services has increased in recent years as more people move to the area.
“We have outgrown our facility,” said Lauren Carpenter, Board President of VOCAL and Furball Event Chair. Carpenter said a new capital campaign will be unveiled during the 10th Annual Furball on Feb. 27, 2026. The plan will detail the expansion of the food bank, more exam rooms for the clinic and other needed spaces on the property.
Jenkins Subaru of Ocala has signed on as the new presenting sponsor of the Furball. The local dealership is a part of the Subaru Share the Love initiative and selected VOCAL as a partner, one of over 2,700 hometown charities supported.
“Subaru will celebrate the 2025 Subaru Share the Love ® Event, in which we come together to support a variety of national and local charity partners. From Nov. 20, 2025, through Jan. 2, 2026, customers will have the ability to support national or local charities when they purchase or lease a new Subaru. This year, during the 2025 Subaru Share the Love Event, we at Jenkins Subaru of Ocala are proud to partner with Voices of Change Animal League (VOCAL). We love our pets at Jenkins Subaru of Ocala, and we believe in VOCAL’s mission to solve the homeless pet problem through prevention, community outreach, adoption, and collaboration,” said Spencer Speer, Relationship and Marketing Manager, Jenkins Subaru Volvo of Ocala.
Speer continued, “VOCAL does amazing work, and we are especially impressed with their efforts to keep pets in their homes (and out of shelters) by providing medical and food resources to pet parents who need a little help. We look forward to our partnership to make ours a better community.”
Each year the Furball auctions, both live and silent, are always a highlight of the evening. Attendees will be able to view all the items up for auction and place competitive bids. And Ocala’s very own Lewis Stokes of 93.7 K-Country (WOGK-FM) will be on the mic, keeping up with the excitement. Yes, his signature cowboy hat will be in place as he calls out the winning bids.
The community has several opportunities available to support VOCAL and the 10th Annual Furball:
Sponsorship levels include a few perks, so check them out:
Silent/Live auction items are being accepted:
Memberships:
Become a member of VOCAL with a donation:
Purchase tickets:
$200 per person. Click the button below or call 352.289.0800
When purchasing tickets for the 2026 Furball event, guests will have the option to purchase a table, seating for eight, at a discounted price. It’s an added feature to accommodate the increasing number of requests.
Carpenter said people have also been asking about the upcoming theme to begin planning their attire for the evening, “we encourage everyone to include western accents this year.”
About VOCAL (Voices of Change Animal League):
VOCAL is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to solving the homeless pet problem in Marion County, Florida. Through prevention, community outreach, adoption, and collaboration, VOCAL works to keep pets in loving homes and reduce shelter overcrowding.
At Voices of Change Animal League (VOCAL), our mission is simple yet powerful: to end pet homelessness through compassion, prevention, and community support. Local shelters are often overwhelmed, and VOCAL steps in with innovative solutions that focus on keeping pets with their families and out of shelters.
- Affordable Veterinary Care: VOCAL’s Community Clinic offers low-cost spay/neuter, vaccine clinics, and specialty surgeries, ensuring that financial hardship doesn’t separate pets from their families.
- Pet Food Bank: In partnership with Chewy.com, VOCAL provides weekly pet food and supplies to families and rescue groups, helping pets stay healthy and at home.
- Adoptions: VOCAL carefully matches pets of all ages—from playful puppies and kittens to senior companions—with loving adopters, ensuring every animal finds the right home.