Sudsy Dogtoberfest Raises Funds for DoveLewis Blood Bank

Portland, OR. Volunteers washed over 300 dogs at the 23rd annual Dogtoberfest on September 16th. The sudsy benefit at the Lucky Labrador Brew Pub on SE Hawthorne raised over $17,000 for the DoveLewis Blood Bank.

DoveLewis Marketing Director Tess Payne, KGW’s Drew Carney and Lucky Lab owner (and founder of the event) Gary Geist help wash a Superhero blood donor to promote Dogtoberfest, Portland’s biggest dog wash.

Representatives from Delap, a Dogtoberfest main sponsor, helped support the DoveLewis Blood Bank by volunteering to wash dirty pups at the event.

KATU meteorologist Mary Loos and Willis the Weather Dog enjoyed exploring all the activities at Dogtoberfest.

US Bank, one of the main sponsors of the event, gave away treats and held a fundraising raffle for DoveLewis at their booth on Pet Promenade, Dogtoberfest’s pet-friendly street fair.

The DoveLewis Blood Bank, the largest volunteer-based animal blood bank in the Pacific Northwest, provides dogs and cats with more than 500 transfusions each year.

“Last year, more than 130 dogs and 30 cats donated blood to save the lives of animals in need. Dogtoberfest is a fun way to support the vital services of our blood bank,” said Blood Bank Director Jill Greene.

The American Red Cross was also on site for a human blood drive in celebration of the importance of donating to save human lives.

Here are more photos from the sudsy benefit:

From DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital:

DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital, established in 1973 and based in Portland, Oregon, is the only nonprofit, 24-hour emergency and intensive care unit in the region. DoveLewis also has seven donor-supported community programs that serve animals in need and the animal loving community. With 43 years of service, DoveLewis has treated more than 500,000 animals and has been deemed one of Oregon’s Most Admired Nonprofits by the Portland Business Journal for eight years. For more information, please visit dovelewis.org.

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.