If you head out for a night on the town next Wednesday, know that you may be inadvertently helping to save thousands of abused and abandoned animals.
The Philadelphia Brewing Company and the Pennsylvania SPCA have partnered to create the first annual Dine Out for Pet’s Sake fundraiser on Sept. 18. Over 20 restaurants and bars throughout the city will donate a portion of their profits for the day to the organization.
Nancy Barton, co-founder of the Philadelphia Brewing Co. — one of the 20 establishments participating — noted that in addition to financial help and dual exposure for the PSPCA and the restaurants taking part, it’s about helping this nonprofit whose survival rests on fundraising critical dollars for animals in the Greater Philadelphia Region.
“They don’t get any grants, state, federal or local money for what they do,” Barton told PW. “They have to raise money — that’s [literally] how they run their facility.”
Barton teamed with director of public relations for the PSPCA, Gillian Kocher, to personally reach out to many of the establishments involved to request their participation. They were eager to help after hearing about the cause, Barton said.
“Everybody was really on board with it, and they also reached out to a few places that we didn’t know,” she added.
Since establishments ranging from cafes to bars and everything in between will be opening their doors for the event, diners will have plenty of options, like breakfast, beer, dinner or whatever else they want. Additionally, all participating establishments won’t require diners to mention anything about the fundraiser to have a portion of their bill donated.
“Even if they didn’t know about it going in, they’ll know about it when they leave,” Barton said. “They’ll know that they did a good thing while they were going out anyway.”
Philadelphia Brewing Co. has hosted many events to support the PSPCA over the past few years. Currently, the brewery and tasting room hosts “Caturday,” a cat adoption event held every third Saturday of the month. PBC also acts as the beer sponsor for the PSPCA’s annual Bark & Whine fundraiser.
The brewery also participates in neighborhood cleanups and has hosted events for ACCT and No-Kill Philly, in addition to donating beer to Planned Parenthood and the ACLU.
They also employ several worker cats to do the jobs suited for them. Duke does most of the dirty work of catching pests around the facility. You can see him hard at work on Instagram: @dukethebrewerycat.
“He’s a good ambassador for the brewery, and he’s a good worker,” Barton jokes. “He’s the top employee all the time.”
The brewery even released a special edition brew, “Working Cat,” its special double dry hop pale ale, a few months ago in Duke’s honor. They will be bringing it back with an improved recipe for the Sept. 18 event.
Additionally, Knead Bagels in Washington Square will also sell a custom PSPCA bagel all day and will donate 100 percent of profits made from it.
“It’s not like we’re partnering with somebody because it’s good business, but it’s obviously something that we really believe in ourselves,” Barton said.
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EAT THERE, SAVE HERE
These 20 establishments are taking part in Pennsylvania SPCA’s Dine out for Pet’s Sake on Wednesday, Sept. 18. If you’re looking for a midweek night out, hit up these establishments, knowing that your dollars are working overtime.
The Abbaye | 637 N. 3rd St.
Batter & Crumbs | 1401 Reed St.
Brick Wall Tavern | 1213 Sansom St.
Chick’s | 1807 Washington Ave.
Cry Baby Pasta and Wine | 627 S. 3rd St.
Doobie’s | 2201 Lombard St.
Fergie’s | 1214 Sansom St.
Fishtown Brewpub | 1101 Frankford Ave.
For Pete’s Sake Pub | 900 S. Front St.
Grace Tavern | 2229 Grays Ferry Ave.
Harper’s Garden | 31 S. 18th St.
Hip City Veg | All locations. hipcityveg.com/
Lucky 13 | 1820 S. 13th St.
McGillin’s Olde Ale House | 1310 Drury St.
Memphis Taproom | 2331 E. Cumberland St.
Morgan’s Pier | 221 N. Christopher Columbus Blvd.
Oath Pizza | 59 St. James Place, Ardmore Pa.
Philadelphia Brewing Co. | 2440 Frankford Ave.
Porta | 1216 Chestnut St.
PS & Co. | 1706 Locust St.
Rosy’s Taco Bar | 2220 Walnut St.
Second District Brewing | 1939 S. Bancroft St.
South Bowl | 19 E. Oregon Ave.
South House Philly | 2535 S. 13th St.
Standard Tap | 901 N. 2nd St.
Tattooed Mom | 530 South St.
The Thirsty Soul | 1551 W. Passyunk Ave.
Triangle Tavern | 1338 S. 10th St.
