POTH Rocks St Kilda Festival

Puppy beers, volunteers, and a 6ft dog named Harry…

St Kilda Festival, that one Sunday in February when 400,000 Melbournians tip the axis seaside for a day of walking, shuffling, dancing and squishing their way around the foreshore of the old dame, and our Pets of The Homeless (POTH) crew were front and centre spreading awareness.

POTH was chosen as a charity partner for the St Kilda Festival, and what an incredible honour to be there on the day alongside larger charity, SunSmart, repping our cause. A people powered charity value nothing more than being able to reach the people. We knew going in it was a great chance for exposure and to be able to bring the message direct to those who can help.

Our usual tin shaking laid the ground for a lot of footwork (pun totally intended) in getting our message out there. Our beautiful volunteers shimmied and shook through the vibrant crowd. The opportunity to chat to so many people in a festival environment opened a portal for important dialogue and connections with those who can make a real difference. But it wasn’t all talk; the St Kilda revelers opened their pockets too, filling our tins to the brim.

And meanwhile back at the stand the party stayed fairly consistent all day. Packed full of merch, we launched some of our newest POTH products on the day and we were very near cleaned out by the close of the festivities. The Pets Of The Homeless KeepCups and water bottles were flying out the door/stand with no door. The merch wasn’t the only draw card though, not many could walk by our 6ft fluffy mascot, Harry POTHA without stealing a hug and quick selfie, that’s what you call paw-ganic promotion.

Set-up next to the merch-stand was our very own pop-up studio by Erin King Pet Photography, offering professional pet portraits, face painting and a POTH portrait station, where we were printing your hashtag portraits on the spot. Because if you don’t have a hashtag portrait, were you even there?

The day was a huge success and for the first major event of 2018 we feel we kicked off in great stead, let’s keep this rock rolling for the rest of the year!