Palm Springs Animal Shelter | Adopt, Foster & Donate
Photos: THT
Palm Springs, CA (The Hollywood Times) 8/29/26 – The Palm Springs Animal Shelter’s Pool Party for a Cause: Tiki Night turned out to be exactly what a summer fundraiser in Palm Springs should be: fun, relaxed, colorful and full of community spirit.
Held Friday night at the Palm Springs Surf Club, the event brought guests together for swimming, dancing, music and plenty of tropical fun, all while supporting the lifesaving work of the Palm Springs Animal Shelter. The fundraiser ran from 7 to 10 p.m., with access to the pools, lazy river and other water attractions, while DJ Galaxy kept the party moving throughout the evening.
And yes, I finally got into that lazy river.
After talking about it so much during my recent interview with Jayson Lake-Velazco, I can now personally report that floating along the lazy river at night was every bit as relaxing as it sounded. There was something wonderful about drifting through the warm Palm Springs evening, surrounded by people laughing, talking and simply enjoying themselves.
The atmosphere throughout the night was wonderfully easygoing. Some guests stayed in the water, others gathered poolside, and plenty made their way onto the dance floor as the DJ kept the music upbeat and fun. There was a lot of dancing, and the crowd clearly came ready to enjoy itself.
Another highlight of the evening was the performance by Hula Palm Springs dancers, who added even more energy and personality to the festivities. Their appearance fit perfectly with the colorful Tiki Night atmosphere and gave guests another reason to stop, watch and cheer.
It was also especially nice seeing Jayson Lake-Velazco again after our recent Hollywood Times interview. Jayson had previously told me how these pool parties help introduce people to the shelter’s work while raising money for the animals, and seeing the event firsthand made that mission feel very real. Every ticket purchased helps provide food, shelter, medical care and second chances for homeless animals.
Jayson also introduced me to the Palm Springs Animal Shelter’s Jack Hagerman, Associate Executive Director, and we had a lovely conversation about the organization and its work in the community. I have wanted The Hollywood Times to become more involved with the shelter, so it was especially meaningful to make that connection in person.
Naturally, I couldn’t leave without doing a little shopping for the cause.
I purchased two Palm Springs Animal Shelter beach towels featuring their logo, which seemed like the perfect souvenir from a night spent floating around a pool while supporting animals. The shelter’s mission centers on extraordinary animal care, community resources and advocacy, with opportunities for people to support the organization through adoption, fostering, volunteering and donations.
What made the evening so successful was that it never felt like a stuffy fundraiser. It felt like Palm Springs: friendly, festive, a little playful and very community oriented.
Between the lazy river, Hula Palm Springs dancers, great DJ music, plenty of dancing and the chance to reconnect with Jayson and learn even more about the people behind the Palm Springs Animal Shelter, it was simply a wonderful night.
Most importantly, all that fun had a purpose.
The Palm Springs Animal Shelter continues working every day to provide animals with safe, healthy environments and new beginnings, and Pool Party for a Cause: Tiki Night proved that supporting that mission can also be one heck of a good time.
Make a splash. Save a life.
By Valerie Milano
