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Photos: Meet The Dogs Of L.A.'s First 'Pup-Up' Cafe
The pop-up Dog Cafe is officially open in downtown Los Angeles, and we stopped by to check it out and cuddle some dogs.
Sarah Wolfgang's ultimate dream is to open a permanent dog cafe in Los Angeles that would offer a place for Angelenos to grab a cup of coffee and socialize with dogs, as well as a place for adoptable dogs to bond with future owners. While Wolfgang is currently fundraising via indiegogo for that dream, you can check out the concept by visiting the 'pup-up' event this weekend.
The Dog Cafe Pup-Up is located in the front portion of a downtown clothing store. You can swing by the coffee truck parked outside for a beverage, then head inside to visit with the dogs. At the time of our visit today around noon, there were about several adult dogs and two adorable puppies. The dogs that are up for adoption are wearing harnesses and T-shirts that read 'adopt me!' The dogs are from Wags and Walks, a rescue group that saved over 500 dogs in 2014.
In this particular environment, prospective dog owners can play with the dogs, as well as bring along their own pups to introduce to potential new housemates. The mood was comfortable and relaxed with the older dogs freely roaming the controlled area to visit with humans, and the two puppies kept separate in their own area. While adoption is encouraged, you can also go if you just want to hang out with dogs. As many of Angelenos can't have dogs in their apartment, this is a great way to for dog lovers to get their fix.
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Wolfgang got the idea for a dog cafe when she lived in Korea and worked to find homes for rescue dogs. When she moved to Los Angeles, she found there were more dogs that needed homes than adoptions happening, so she thought a dog cafe would be a great means to a solution.
If Wolfgang is able to raise the appropriate funds, she will seek a permanent location for the Dog Cafe. She has already checked with the L.A. Health Department, who said the venture is okay as long as the coffee is prepared in a completely separate area from the dog zone. She is currently at nearly $12,000 of her $200,000 goal on indiegogo.
Dog Cafe Pup-Up. 838 S. Los Angeles St., DTLA. January 22-25, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Beverages served from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. $20 in advance for a reserved spot (includes coffee); $15 at the door for first-come, first-served entry. Parking is available behind the Pup-Up.
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This work is only possible with community support. Every investigation, service guide, and story is made possible by people like you who believe that local news is a public good and that everyone deserves access to trustworthy local information.
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