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Los Angeles' First Adoptable Dog Cafe Announces Inaugural 'Pup-Up' Event
When we found out that Sarah Wolfgang was trying to open Los Angeles' first dog cafe, we were super excited. Now we're super excited again to report that she's hosting a 'Pup-Up' event where customers can meet and pet lots of adoptable dogs. Cat Cafes are popular in other parts of the world and have just started emerging here in the U.S. dog cafes, however, are a little more rare. (And yeah, a lot of cafe, particularly on the Westside seem to be de facto dog cafes.)
The Dog Cafe Pup-Up is taking place downtown at 838 S. Los Angeles St. on January 22-25 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. A food truck will be serving Grounds & Hounds Coffee and beverage from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. daily. Patrons can pay $20 for a reserved spot and a cup of joe, or $15 at the door for first-come, first-served entry (coffee not included in door sales). Once you’re settled in, you'll be able to socialize and pet a number of dogs from shelter Wags and Walks, take photos with dogs via the Pup-Up's photo station and if one becomes your best friend, you can look into adoption. Visitors may also bring their own dogs to meet potential new friends.
Wolfgang told us she came up with the idea while volunteering for a shelter in Korea when she was 14. She and other volunteers worked together to rescue 120 that would have been put down if homes were not found for them. When she moved to the U.S. in early 2014, she realized there were so many shelter dogs that needed homes, and not enough adoptions. She thought a dog cafe would help these dogs find homes.
She is currently in the process of raising funds via indiegogo for the dog cafe. So far, she has only raised $7,000 of her $200,000 goal, but here's hoping the Pup-Up will generate more interest. She said she's already talked to the L.A. Health Department, who told her the cafe would be legal if the dog zone was completely separate from where the coffee and drinks were served.
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Wolfgang talks more about her experience in Korea and vision for the Dog Cafe in her fundraising video.
The Dog Cafe from Sarah Wolfgang on Vimeo.
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 (includes coffee); $15 at the door. Parking is available behind the Pup-Up.
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