DRINKS & INKS: Local Paw-tnerships Aid Animals in Need
Eau Claire Community Humane Association partners with The Brewing Projekt, Midwest Tattoo
Whether they are goofy, serious, or just plain adorable — we all want to see your pets (and your tattoos). The Eau Claire Community Humane Association (ECCHA) aims to promote just that, through their new Ales & Tails beer label contest and fundraiser.
Through the month of August, ECCHA (3900 Old Town Hall Rd., Eau Claire) will open the polls to vote on photo submissions from pet owners across the city, who may have the chance to act as a model on the packaging of a limited craft beer from The Brewing Projekt (1807 N. Oxford Ave., Eau Claire).
“The community will vote for the top dog (or cat, or lizard, or bunny — we love them all!) to crown the winner of the inaugural contest,” ECCHA wrote online.
The release party for the brand-new brew will be held on Oct. 10 at The Brewing Projekt taproom. There, patrons will be among the first residents to taste it, meet adoptable pets from the ECCHA, win raffle prizes, and learn more about the humane association operations.
In just the final week of July, there were already more than 100 entries submitted to ECCHA. With this outpouring of entries, the humane association has shared their “favorite picks” online via social media.
The winning pets – which will see their mug on the beer label – will be determined by the number of points earned on their entry. (Any pet-owners who submit a photo of their animal that is an “alumni” of the ECCHA, will automatically get an extra five points on top of existing voting totals.) The fundraising window will also take place during the voting period — open until Sept. 6 — through the ECCHA website.
Fundraising dollars will go toward meeting the needs of any unhoused shelter animals; food, toys, cleaning supplies, and more resources.
For the first place winner, the animal will appear on the specialty Brewing Projekt craft brew for one year, or until the batch is sold out. They will also receive a Brewing Projekt framed label to display. Second and third place winners will receive prize baskets from both organizers and gift cards.
If you don't make the public voting cut, don't get your tail in a twist. ECCHA & Brewing Projekt staff will select their overall favorite for the “wildcard” category and receive their choice of ECCHA and Brewing Projekt merchandise.
Additional fundraising efforts, alongside the beer label contest, are also underway for ECCHA. Midwest Tattoo (1106 Mondovi Rd., Eau Claire) artisans have released limited flash sheets to directly benefit pets in need. A minimum of $20 for each tattoo will benefit the ECCHA, with additional donations encouraged.
Flash dates are scheduled for Aug. 16 and Sept. 13 at Midwest Tattoo. There will also be chances to get tattooed during the Oct. 10 fundraising event at The Brewing Projekt.
To learn more about the Eau Claire Community Humane Association — and vote for your favorite pets starting Aug. 8 — visit their webpage online. Additional event announcements, craft brewery teasers, and flash tattoo options will be shared throughout the month of August via Facebook (@EauClaireHumane).
