Austin Approaches Peak Boopability With Dogist and WeRateDogs Visits
Pup-centric fundraisers draw social media stars
By Kimberley Jones and Sarah K. Wolf, 3:39PM, Thu. Feb. 7, 2019
If the dog in a cage on our cover this week bummed you out, here’s something to raise your spirits: The guys behind two of the Internet’s favorite dog-related social media accounts will be in town this weekend to support some very worthy animal fundraisers.
The 12th annual Sweet Barks party returns to the ABGB on Saturday, Feb. 9, featuring a pet-centric market of pop-up vendors, kissing booth, treat station, and internet-famous dog photographer The Dogist, aka Elias Weiss Friedman, whose Instagram account boasts over 3.4 million followers. Through their Hell Yes Project, the ABGB donates 5% of their profits to project partners (partners include HAAM, Sims Foundation, Central Texas Food Bank, AIDS Services of Austin, and Foundation Communities, Habitat for Humanity, and Austin Pets Alive!). Last year Sweet Barks raised over $25,000 for Austin Pets Alive!
The party continues just down the road at Cosmic Coffee Beer + Garden on Saturday, noon-4pm, with Dog Related Good Times, featuring yet another social media celebrity guest – Matt Nelson of WeRateDogs, the playful Twitter account that makes a compelling case that every doggo is a 13/10 – and tons of dog-friendly fun. This shindig is focusing on senior dogs, raising donations for Lizzy’s Animal Hospice and includes Austin photographer Alex Hopes of ZilkerBark fame, who will be onsite taking flower crown pet portraits ($40 each) and donating back to the cause.
If you’re not dog-tired yet, pug people – you know who you are – will want to get to Sunday’s Valenpugs Gala at Mercury Hall. This year they’re showing the love with a romantic history themed setting, Italian dinner, and pug-themed silent auction benefiting Pug Rescue of Austin.
But back to that dog in a cage on the cover this week: Now is a good time to remind everyone that the Austin Animal Center is forever overcrowded and sure could use your volunteer time and donations.But wait there's more! This weekend is jam-packed with animal-centric parties and pop-ups; find out about them in our Community Events listings.
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Sept. 7, 2018
Sweet Barks, Austin Pets Alive, the Dogist, ZilkerBark, WeRateDogs, Lizzy's Animal Hospice, Austin Animal Shelter, Pug Rescue of Austin, Valenpugs Gala
