Via Community News Service, a University of Vermont journalism internship
BURLINGTON – At Pups & Pints, pitbulls, shaggy goldens and tiny chihuahuas alike gathered recently to enjoy a dog-friendly social party at Switchback Brewing.
Each purchase of beer (and McKenzie hot dogs!) led to a $1 donation to this month’s beneficiary: local foster-based dog rescue Passion 4 Paws.
“You can’t buy love, but you can rescue it!” read one of the Passion 4 Paws brochures on display. Numerous photos of dogs available to foster or adopt were scattered around Switchback’s taproom, which attendees could check out as they sipped on draft beer and snacked away.
“This event is really good to get fosters out there and it increases visibility for them,” said Mary Kate Spiegler, VIP Volunteer for Passion 4 Paws.
Over 1,000 dogs have been adopted in the 12 years since Passion 4 Paws was founded. A large part of that is due to events such as Pups & Pints, Spiegler said.
Abby Dubuc, event coordinator and bartender at Switchback, said the event occurs once a month during the winter. It gets the community together and supports nonprofits.
“We support Passion 4 Paws, and other dog rescue organizations as well. We’re always open and supportive to nonprofits,” Dubuc said.
She shared that several dogs were adopted after last month’s Pups & Pints event.
“I love working with the community, and when people bring their dog it allows them to be involved as well, and helps other dogs get adopted too,” Dubuc said.
“We’ve wanted to turn this space into a community space, and especially in the winter, events like these are great opportunities to reach out to people and get them out,” she added.
Customers sat and mingled with each other, beer in one hand and petting a furry friend with the other. People asked each other about their dogs and shared many stories of adoptions. Meanwhile the dogs got to know each other by playfighting on the floor.
One cheery corgi-pitbull mix sat by his owner’s feet, his chunky fur splayed out.
“This is Schmitt, or Schmitty,” his owner Kurt Morse said as the pup sniffed at the beer in his hand. “He was kind of an ‘oops’ mix, if you couldn’t tell.”
Morse said Schmitt was quickly given up due to his previous owner’s sudden move out of the state. Schmitt was put back in the foster system and taken to Franklin County Animal Rescue.
“My wife was volunteering there, and I was out of town,” Morse said. “She called me and was like, ‘I know we can’t adopt every dog at this rescue, but can we please adopt this one?’ And that’s how we got Schmitt.
“It’s kind of perfect. I love corgis, and she loves pitbulls,” he said.
The mission of Passion 4 Paws is saving homeless, abandoned, neglected or abused dogs. According to a Passion 4 Paws brochure, 390,000 dogs and cats are euthanized every year. Events like Pups and Pints allow these dogs to be noticed, and hopefully gain a home, avoiding kill shelters.
Spiegler is one of many volunteers at Passion 4 Paws. She does it, she says, because it’s incredibly rewarding work.
“It’s always so different as well. Every dog is so different, and it’s so enjoyable to have them meet and click with their owners. It can take months to even years but it’s worth it,” she said.
Passion 4 Paws doesn’t have a physical shelter, so it’s primarily foster based. Events like Pups & Pints allow people to discover these dogs in the system and gain interest in potentially fostering them.
“Shelters are great, but with the foster care system, owners really get to know the dog, and that’s the most important part,” Spiegler said.
Noragh Devlin, a customer at the event, toted her energetic golden retriever named Desmond, who accepted pets from anyone within a 10-foot radius.
“He’s turning 12 this year; he’s an old man,” she said.
Devlin’s gaze shifted to Desmond’s white floof as he attempted to lap up someone’s spilled beer. “His favorite food is everything … except asparagus.”
Devlin said this was her first time at the event. She said the event is good for her, Desmond and Passion 4 Paws.
“I was just looking for something to do this weekend and saw this. Plus, I wanted Desmond to get out, so this is perfect for him. It benefits a good cause as well,” she said.
