THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS (April 4, 2026) — Rescues on the Runway, a fashion-forward fundraising event benefiting Woodlands-based nonprofit Operation Pets Alive (OPA), lit up The Peach Orchard on Thursday, April 2, blending vintage glamour with a powerful mission to save lives.
Presented by the Law Office of D’Ann Hinkle, the evening brought together Houston-area supporters, local sponsors, and adoptable rescue dogs for a spirited runway show showcasing spring fashions from local and national boutiques including Pell 1990, Monkees of The Woodlands, Bowtique, LoveShackFancy, RHONE, Skin Retreat, and Covered. Community leaders served as models, including Township Director Cindy Heiser, Interfaith of The Woodlands President and CEO Missy Herndon, and neurosurgeon Dr. Sebastian Herrera, walking the runway alongside adoptable dogs.
Hosted by Melissa Wilson of FOX 26 Morning News, the event paired high-energy fashion moments with a robust silent auction, creating a celebratory atmosphere centered on adoption, philanthropy, and community impact. The evening also featured an exciting raffle, with a stunning 2.86-carat diamond generously donated by Daniel & Co., awarded to one lucky winner.
One of the night’s most meaningful moments came directly from the runway itself. Primrose, a puppy recently rescued from a cruelty case, found her forever home the very evening she modeled—an outcome emblematic of OPA’s mission in action.
“As beautiful and inspiring as nights like this are, they represent just a small part of what it truly takes to save lives,” said OPA President Rebecca Forbes. “Our work doesn’t happen just on event nights like this. It happens day in and day out—early mornings, late nights, and often in moments of crisis.”
The event also marked a major milestone for the organization. Operation Pets Alive was recently awarded a State of Texas Spay and Neuter Pilot Program contract, enabling OPA to double its impact, expand services into six additional counties, and spay or neuter approximately 2,700 dogs and cats over the next 18 months—preventing suffering before it begins.
Operation Pets Alive is 100 percent volunteer-run, ensuring every dollar raised goes directly to the animals, funding rescue, medical care, adoption, and long-term solutions that strengthen communities across Texas.
About Operation Pets Alive
Operation Pets Alive (OPA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, all-volunteer organization striving to elevate Montgomery County to a No-Kill community through innovative programs that raise community awareness, reduce the number of dogs and cats who enter our shelters and increase the number of dogs and cats who leave our shelters alive.
At OPA, we depend entirely on volunteers to implement our life-saving work. Each year, we rescue thousands of homeless pets, and impact the lives of hundreds more through our Core Programs. All thanks to countless volunteer hours. Join us and learn how you can make a difference in the lives of the homeless animals of Montgomery County by visiting operationpetsalive.org or following us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
