The head count for this year’s PAWS Chicago Fur Ball at the Drake Hotel Nov. 9 hit an all-time high: 150 canines turned out with 725 guests, including rocker Billy Corgan and “Kitchen Crashers” star Alison Victoria. And though the humans wore their black-tie best, it was the doggies’ style that got all the attention — from collies wearing tutus to Cavalier King Charles spaniels in doggie tuxes. Corgan, who adopted his cats Sammi and Tom from PAWS in 2004, was a first-time attendee and agreed to auction a tea party and live performance for four at Madame Zuzu’s, his new Highland Park teahouse. “We’ll talk, and you can ask me anything you want,” he said. “I’ve got lots of good stories; I’m probably the only person on the planet who’s dated Jessica Simpson and Courtney Love.” The bidding went up to $30,000 and Corgan agreed to host the tea party three times (for winners Nancy Timmers, Mayari Pritzker and Kristy Kitzmiller), contributing $90,000 toward the evening’s more than $1 million total to benefit the beloved no-kill animal shelter. Story by Susanna Negovan | Photos by Ramzi Dreessen

The head count for this year’s PAWS Chicago Fur Ball at the Drake Hotel Nov. 9 hit an all-time high: 150 canines turned out with 725 guests, including rocker Billy Corgan and “Kitchen Crashers” star Alison Victoria. And though the humans wore their black-tie best, it was the doggies’ style that got all the attention — from collies wearing tutus to Cavalier King Charles spaniels in doggie tuxes. Corgan, who adopted his cats Sammi and Tom from PAWS in 2004, was a first-time attendee and agreed to auction a tea party and live performance for four at Madame Zuzu’s, his new Highland Park teahouse. “We’ll talk, and you can ask me anything you want,” he said. “I’ve got lots of good stories; I’m probably the only person on the planet who’s dated Jessica Simpson and Courtney Love.” The bidding went up to $30,000 and Corgan agreed to host the tea party three times (for winners Nancy Timmers, Mayari Pritzker and Kristy Kitzmiller), contributing $90,000 toward the evening’s more than $1 million total to benefit the beloved no-kill animal shelter.

Story by Susanna Negovan | Photos by Ramzi Dreessen