ALACHUA ‒ Who doesn’t love happy hours? It’s a chance to relax after a long workday and spend time with friends. On Sunday, June 11, San Felasco Tech City was the scene of a special kind of happy hour at the Daft Cow Brewery and Beaker and Flask Wine Co. Guests had a chance to relax and enjoy craft beer and wine while their four-legged furry friends enjoyed dog treats, toys and interacting with other dogs. The Yappy Hour charity event welcomed both pet owners and their dogs to socialize and enjoy the day.
Yappy hours are often hosted by hotels, bars, apartment complexes or breed play groups with guests paying a fee to attend. The event at the Daft Cow Brewery was held by the Shakespeare Animal Fund, a non-profit that helps pay emergency veterinary costs for elderly, disabled and others who have a suffering pet and no funds to get help.
“Our mission is to help pet owners with emergency veterinary bills due to accidents, sickness and other emergencies,” said Shakespeare Animal Fund founder Jennifer Webb. “We are active in 13 northern Nevada counties and now in North Central Florida as well.”
Webb started the organization in 2003, while living in Reno, Nevada after the loss of her own dog, Shakespeare, a cocker spaniel who jumped into his new companion’s arms from a pet shop counter in Harlem three days before Christmas.
Shakespeare became Webb’s constant companion as he travelled the streets of New York with Jennifer. The two of them spent countless hours in Central Park on weekends. He was allowed to attend dance classes in the evenings, and he even rode the streets of the city in a little red wagon as he got too old to walk
In November 2003, Shakespeare became ill, and nothing the vet could do seemed to help. In desperation, Webb took him to a large medical facility where they did extensive testing including an MRI before finding there was nothing left to do. The medical bills were expensive, but Webb says she would have done anything, borrowed from anywhere, to help him recover.
“When he died on Nov. 14, 2003, my heart was forever broken at his loss,” said Webb. “I heard stories from others who had watched their beloved pet suffer and die because they simply couldn't afford the vet bills.”
Out of this heartrending experience, Webb founded the Shakespeare Animal Fund. “I hoped that many others who love their animal companions as much as I loved Shakespeare, but perhaps can't afford to pay for an unexpected illness or any other medical expense, can be helped,” said Webb.
“Often those who need our help are elderly, disabled, returning veterans or simply those who find themselves in an emergency situation without the funds to get the help their pets desperately need. For many people their pets are their only family, and a constant source of unconditional love,” said Webb. “We believe no one should ever have to choose between taking care of their four-footed family member or putting food on the table.”
Under Webb's direction, fundraisers have brought in more than $1million to help pet owners in need in Nevada, Webb’s previous home. Recently Webb moved to Alachua for work and is now also creating events in North Central Florida. At the recent Yappy Hour, pet owners made a donation of $25 for beer, wine and snacks, while their canine family members enjoyed a variety of treats. Attendees could also contribute additionally by bidding on a variety of silent auction raffle items.
“Although this is our first Yappy Hour event in Alachua, we are establishing our headquarters here and letting other members in Nevada continue events out there.” Webb is currently planning a Yappy Hour event at the Black Adder Brewery in Gainesville in August and hoping to expand to Marion County as well.
“We also welcome anyone who would like to join, either as a board member, staff support or as volunteers for the events,” said Webb
Anyone who is interested in additional information, joining or contributing can email helpshakefund@gmail.com with the subject line Yappy Hour or visit www.shakespeareanimalfund.org. The website also has contact links for people who need emergency help, and there is also a crisis phone line at 775-342-7040.
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Email rcarson@
alachuatoday.com
ALACHUA ‒ Who doesn’t love happy hours? It’s a chance to relax after a long workday and spend time with friends. On Sunday, June 11, San Felasco Tech City was the scene of a special kind of happy hour at the Daft Cow Brewery and Beaker and Flask Wine Co. Guests had a chance to relax and enjoy craft beer and wine while their four-legged furry friends enjoyed dog treats, toys and interacting with other dogs. The Yappy Hour charity event welcomed both pet owners and their dogs to socialize and enjoy the day.
Yappy hours are often hosted by hotels, bars, apartment complexes or breed play groups with guests paying a fee to attend. The event at the Daft Cow Brewery was held by the Shakespeare Animal Fund, a non-profit that helps pay emergency veterinary costs for elderly, disabled and others who have a suffering pet and no funds to get help.
“Our mission is to help pet owners with emergency veterinary bills due to accidents, sickness and other emergencies,” said Shakespeare Animal Fund founder Jennifer Webb. “We are active in 13 northern Nevada counties and now in North Central Florida as well.”
Webb started the organization in 2003, while living in Reno, Nevada after the loss of her own dog, Shakespeare, a cocker spaniel who jumped into his new companion’s arms from a pet shop counter in Harlem three days before Christmas.
Shakespeare became Webb’s constant companion as he travelled the streets of New York with Jennifer. The two of them spent countless hours in Central Park on weekends. He was allowed to attend dance classes in the evenings, and he even rode the streets of the city in a little red wagon as he got too old to walk
In November 2003, Shakespeare became ill, and nothing the vet could do seemed to help. In desperation, Webb took him to a large medical facility where they did extensive testing including an MRI before finding there was nothing left to do. The medical bills were expensive, but Webb says she would have done anything, borrowed from anywhere, to help him recover.
“When he died on Nov. 14, 2003, my heart was forever broken at his loss,” said Webb. “I heard stories from others who had watched their beloved pet suffer and die because they simply couldn't afford the vet bills.”
Out of this heartrending experience, Webb founded the Shakespeare Animal Fund. “I hoped that many others who love their animal companions as much as I loved Shakespeare, but perhaps can't afford to pay for an unexpected illness or any other medical expense, can be helped,” said Webb.
“Often those who need our help are elderly, disabled, returning veterans or simply those who find themselves in an emergency situation without the funds to get the help their pets desperately need. For many people their pets are their only family, and a constant source of unconditional love,” said Webb. “We believe no one should ever have to choose between taking care of their four-footed family member or putting food on the table.”
Under Webb's direction, fundraisers have brought in more than $1million to help pet owners in need in Nevada, Webb’s previous home. Recently Webb moved to Alachua for work and is now also creating events in North Central Florida. At the recent Yappy Hour, pet owners made a donation of $25 for beer, wine and snacks, while their canine family members enjoyed a variety of treats. Attendees could also contribute additionally by bidding on a variety of silent auction raffle items.
“Although this is our first Yappy Hour event in Alachua, we are establishing our headquarters here and letting other members in Nevada continue events out there.” Webb is currently planning a Yappy Hour event at the Black Adder Brewery in Gainesville in August and hoping to expand to Marion County as well.
“We also welcome anyone who would like to join, either as a board member, staff support or as volunteers for the events,” said Webb
Anyone who is interested in additional information, joining or contributing can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject line Yappy Hour or visit www.shakespeareanimalfund.org. The website also has contact links for people who need emergency help, and there is also a crisis phone line at 775-342-7040.
# # #
Email rcarson@
alachuatoday.com