On Aug. 10, Glamper transformed into a tail-wagging, cocktail-sipping celebration as the very first Paws + Pours brought together St. Pete’s pet lovers, local businesses and community for a Sunday afternoon of fun and fundraising. Hosted by DTSPfun in partnership with Suncruiser, the pet-friendly event blended stylish sips, local shopping and plenty of wagging tails – all for a good cause.
The mission? Raise funds for Pet Pal Animal Shelter, St. Pete’s beloved no-kill rescue – and raise they did. Between raffle entries and generous donations, the Paws + Pours brought in over $1,000 to support the shelter’s lifesaving work.
The Scene
From the moment guests stepped into Glamper’s retro-chic patio space, the atmosphere was electric. Dogs lounged while their humans sipped featured Suncruiser cocktails crafted specially for the occasion by Glamper’s Bar Manager, Kaya Jokanovic, whose creative menu was as Instagram-worthy as it was refreshing. Guests mingled with vendors, swapped adoption stories and soaked up the summer vibes.
And while every pup turned heads, the star of the afternoon was Hunter – Pet Pal’s oldest and most distinguished adoptable dog. Calm, gentle and full of charm, Hunter won over every guest he met. In true VIP fashion, he even received a full complimentary grooming courtesy of Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique, thanks to director Tommy LeMoine. Freshly fluffed and photo-ready, Hunter spent the day collecting pets, posing for Instagram and reminding everyone that senior dogs have just as much love (and style) to give.
Vendors That Made It Pop
- Stella Royale – Founded by Mel Royal, Stella Royale’s booth was a haven for pet parents seeking luxury, all-natural care for their four-legged friends. From soothing paw balms to nourishing coat sprays, her line is crafted from only the highest-quality ingredients. Judging by the crowd at her table, pets and people alike approved.
- St. Pete Run Fest – Nicole Geller and Ryan Jordan represented the city’s biggest race weekend, drawing interest for the upcoming Pelipaws Dog Walk. This tail-wagging stroll through Downtown St. Pete invites pups and their humans to join the fun while supporting local causes and plenty of eventgoers signed up on the spot.
- Hawley Trucker Hat Bar Tampa Bay – Owned by Janessa Parker, this interactive booth gave guests the change to design their own custom trucker hats, complete with patches, pins and personality. The creative experience became one of the most Instagrammed moments of the day.
Raffle Fever
The Paws + Pours raffle had guests clutching their tickets like prized possessions, with prizes so good they could stop any conversation mid-sentence.
- Sun Cruiser Paddle Board – gifted by Sun Cruiser, this sleep board was the statement prize of the afternoon, promising endless summer adventures on the water. Spotted mingling with guests were Courtney Lindle and Derek Turton, Sun Cruiser executives whose presence added an extra dose of cool to the crowd.
- $25 Gift Card to Daycation Coffee – donated by owner Rachel Zhang, the perfect ticket to slow mornings and specialty brews.
- $30 Pete’s Bagels Gift Card & Hat – from owners Steven and Sara Peterman, a carb lovers dream with a stylish twist.
- 3-pack of Classes to BODYROK + Grip socks – donated by owners Erin Greco and Alicia Whitis, this prize had fitness fans ready to plank, pulse, and repeat.
- Pair of Mixer Tour Seats from Pedal Pub – courtesy of owner Eric Olson, offering a fun and social eay to see the city.
- One Month Unlimited Classes at Central Cycling – donated by owner Amber Clayton, perfect for anyone to clip in and ride.
- $25 Gift Card to Wildflower Ice Cream – from the McGarry family, the creative minds behind St. Pete’s most photogenetic (and delicious) scoops.
- $25 Gift Card to Gateway Subs – courtesy of CEO & Founder Grant Strayer, COO Bradon Ruditz and CMO Morgan Zook – sandwich royalty in the making.
- Clay Co-Op Date Night: Intro to Pottery Class – donated by co-owner Gigi Schmid, promising a hands-on and romantic night of creativity.
- $50 Bean Wandering Gift Card – donated by owner Hanna Rewerts, fueling future coffee adventures.
- Pour and Decor Gift Basket – from owner Gabrielle Cuccaro, offering all the charm and artistry her shop is known for.
- 4 $20 Gift Cards to Mangosteen, The Crane & The Glass Noodle – graciously donated by Mangosteen Hospitality Group for your next local bites around town.
Why It Mattered
Beyond the sips, shopping, and selfies, Paws + Pours was about something bigger – connecting the community to the mission of Pet Pal Animal Shelter, St. Pete’s beloved no-kill, non-profit shelter dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals of all breeds, ages and backgrounds.
The Pet Pal team was out in full force, with Executive Director Scott Daly, Event Coordinator Shannon Ruedt, Dog Trainer & Volunteer Coordinator Pat McCarthy and Shannon Wudtke all on hand at the shelter’s booth. Throughout the afternoon, they chatted with guests, shared information about the shelter’s work and offered way to get involved – from volunteering and fostering to adopting a new furry family member.
From The Orangizer
“This event means so much to me on a personal level,” said Avery Barnes (yours truly), Director of Content and Engagement for DTSPfun, who spearheaded every detail of Paws + Pours. “As someone with adopted animals of my own, supporting Pet Pal Animal Shelter is deeply close to my heart. Seeing so many people – and their pups – come together for a cause like this is exactly what makes St. Pete so special. The turnout was incredible, the energy was contagious, and the community support was overwhelming. We’re already talking about a second Paws + Pours, and I know it’s only going to get bigger and better from here.”
What’s Next
If this first edition was any indication, Paws + Pours is poised to become a fixture on St. Pete’s social calendar. Expect more vendors, more prizes and more four-legged guests at the next one. Until then, locals will be talking about the afternoon where style met purpose – and where one dapper senior dog proved that sometimes, the most seasoned among us still know how to steal the show.