🐾 Pack Spotlight: Tito's Handmade Vodka

How a few stray dogs helped inspire one of Pet Rock Fest's biggest supporters

For years, Tito's Handmade Vodka has been known as the "Vodka for Dog People," supporting animal welfare organizations through its Vodka for Dog People initiative. This year, that commitment comes to Pet Rock Fest as Tito's joins the festival as a major sponsor, helping support the event's mission of improving the lives of animals throughout New England.

What's surprising is how it all began.

"Dogs have been a part of the Tito's Handmade Vodka story since the very beginning," the company said. "What started as lending a hand to a few dogs that found their way to the area surrounding the Tito's distillery has turned into a global initiative focused on helping pets and their people."

Today, that initiative supports animal wellbeing nonprofits around the world, helping fund affordable veterinary care, adoptions, spay and neuter services, and other programs that strengthen the bond between people and their pets. Over the past five years alone, Tito's has supported more than 2,500 animal-focused nonprofits.

One organization especially close to the company's heart is Emancipet, an Austin-based nonprofit that has spent more than two decades providing affordable veterinary care. Tito's has also partnered with numerous organizations here in Massachusetts, including Greater Dog Rescue of New England, Second Chance Animal Services, NISHA, Sweet Paws Rescue—and now, Pet Rock Fest.

For Tito's, giving back isn't simply part of a marketing campaign.

"Giving back has been a part of our DNA for almost 30 years," the company said. Through its broader philanthropic program, Love, Tito's, the company has supported more than 20,000 nonprofits over the past five years, encouraging employees to volunteer, support local causes, and give back in their own communities.

The connection to Pet Rock Fest was a natural one.

"Our Northeast Field Sales Manager, Victoria Lewis, met Pet Rock Fest founder Charlene Arsenault while she was fostering dogs for East Coast Canine Rescue, and the connection between Vodka for Dog People and the mission of Pet Rock Fest was felt immediately," the company said. "This year, Tito's is honored to be a part of Pet Rock Fest and hopes to inspire more people and companies to support animal rescues and shelters who are making a difference each and every day."

Lewis has fostered nine dogs herself through East Coast Canine Rescue and says one of the simplest ways people can make a difference is by supporting local rescues.

"That could mean adopting, volunteering, or fostering," she said. "Opening up your home even for just a short amount of time can make a life-changing difference for a pet in need."

At the end of the day, Tito's hopes people remember one thing.

"Giving back to your community, no matter how big or how small, creates a ripple of good," the company said. "Thank you for all you do to support animals in your communities and for giving Tito's the chance to be a part of it."

We're proud to have Tito's Handmade Vodka as part of the Pet Rock Fest family and grateful for its commitment to helping animals and the people who love them.