Dr. Edna May, a passionate veterinarian, had a vision: to create a fun, elegant event that would raise awareness and funds for Collier County Domestic Animal Services (DAS).That’s when Edna and Jess Young hosted the very first Puppy Prom, bringing the community together to support local animals in need.
Seeing the overwhelming success of the event, a group of dedicated animal lovers, including Ciara Lister, Jess Young, and Matt Meeker, joined forces with Edna to turn Puppy Prom into something bigger than a one-night fundraiser. Together, they co-founded Wags to Wishes, an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit, making Naples Puppy Prom an annual tradition while expanding efforts to help rescues year-round.
But while Edna was working hands-on with rescue animals, she saw an even bigger problem—many pets weren’t just being lost or abandoned; they were being surrendered when their owners passed away or could no longer care for them. Too often, these pets had once been beloved family members, but without a plan in place, they had nowhere to go.
At the same time, Ciara Lister, an estate planning and real estate attorney at Gulf Coast Law PA, was working with families virtually and in person to secure their futures—not just for their children, but for their pets as well. She saw firsthand how many people assumed their loved ones would take in their pets, only to realize that legal protection was the best way to ensure their animals were truly cared for.
That’s when Edna and Ciara realized they could solve this problem! Together, they launched Plans for Paws, a program under Wags to Wishes, designed to make it simple for pet owners to legally protect their pets' futures.
