Thousands Celebrate Vanderpump's Third Annual World Dog Day

On Saturday, May 19, 2018, Lisa Vanderpump, her husband Ken Todd, The Vanderpump Dog Foundation and the City of West Hollywood hosted the third annual "World Dog Day" in West Hollywood, California. The event, presented by NexGard and SUR Restaurant & Lounge, focused on the celebration of dogs as well as raising awareness about global dog abuse and ending the Yulin Dog Meat Festival in China that begins later next month.

Nearly 4,000 people and their dogs were in attendance to join in on the festivities. This included over 35 pet-centered vendors, dog agility park, a morning “Doga” class and the Lucy Pet K-9 Wave Machine truck that enabled over 100 dogs to surf on San Vicente Blvd.

Singer, songwriter and animal welfare campaigner Leona Lewis welcomed the thousands of guests to the event and presented the “Vanderpump Dog Foundation Awareness Ambassador” to "Bo," who was rescued by Executive Director of the foundation Dr. John Sessa last year while aiding survivors of the Yulin Dog Meat Festival. Additionally, singer Lance Bass and his husband Michael Turchin served as hosts of the 2nd Annual “VP Posh Puppy Pageant”
sponsored by Posh Puppy Boutique and 1st Annual “Doggy Look a Like Contest” sponsored by Kickee Pets that crowned Vanderpump Rules’ Brittany Cartwright and her dog Monroe for the second year in a row.

Since opening the doors to their rescue center on W. 3rd Street in Los Angeles in March of 2017, The Vanderpump Dog Foundation has adopted out over 550 dogs. “We are thrilled that on World Dog Day, we adopted out 10 of our adoptable dogs and we were so happy to have many of our dogs that have already found their forever home return for this amazing event,” said Dr. John Sessa.

Other sponsors of the event included: Zappos for Good, PetFirst Pet Insurance, Just Food For Dogs and ForeverLawn.

Many celebrities were in support of Lisa Vanderpump and the Vanderpump Dog Foundation’s annual event including Teddi Mellencamp and Camille Grammer, co-stars on Bravo’s "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills." Contestants featured in the two contests included Vanderpump Rules’ Stassi Schroeder, Katie Maloney, Tom Schwartz, Ariana Madix, Tom Sandoval, Kristen Doute, Brittany Cartwright and Jax Taylor.

“As we continue to fight to end the inhumane treatment of dogs worldwide. I am thankful for the wonderful support of my friends, the City of West Hollywood and the community during this difficult time in my life. I thank Leona Lewis and Lance Bass who stepped in to host on my behalf; it was uplifting to see so many people come together to celebrate dogs and raise awareness," said Lisa Vanderpump. 

To find out more or to contact The Vanderpump Dog Foundation, please visit www.vanderpumpdogs.org.

ABOUT THE VANDERPUMP DOG FOUNDATION

The Vanderpump Dog Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit dog rescue organization, working on both a domestic and international front to help create a better world for dogs globally. In 2015, founders Lisa Vanderpump and Ken Todd began the long journey towards trying to stop the barbaric torture practices at the Yulin Dog Meat Festival and end the dog meat trade in Asia. Together with their partner Dr. John Sessa, they launched the campaign Stop Yulin Forever, which ultimately led them to create The Vanderpump Dog Foundation. The movement gained momentum and has inspired activists all over the world to work towards ending the Yulin Dog Meat Festival and encourage more humane treatment for dogs worldwide.

The Vanderpump Dog Foundation was formed to not only aid in ending this international atrocity but to also better the lives of dogs domestically. The United States faces many problems of its own including dog overpopulation, abuse, neglect and lack of education with regards to spaying and neutering pets. With the opening of their new Vanderpump Dog Rescue Center in LA, The Vanderpump Dog Foundation aims to reduce these problems within California and beyond, as well as continue their national and international campaigns built on a platform of education, legislation and activism.

Media Contact:  
​John Blizzard
​JBlizzard@VanderpumpDogs.org

The Vanderpump Dog Foundation:
8134 West Third Street, Los Angeles CA 90048
1-323-852 –DOGS