Arts & Entertainment

ACL Fest: Austin-Born Tito's Handmade Vodka Helps Ensure Vet Care For All Pet Owners

Local concoction maker teaming up with Emancipet encourages pics fronting their mural to be shared on social media to raise donations.

AUSTIN, TX — Austin-born Tito’s Handmade Vodka is partnering with Emancipet, a nonprofit on a mission to make veterinary care accessible to all pet owners, during Austin City Limits to help festival goers give back, officials said.

Throughout the weekend, festival attendees are encouraged to take a photo in front of the “Love, Tito’s” Mural and share on social media using #LoveTitos. For every post, Tito’s will donate $1, up to $10,000, to Emancipet, officials said.

The philanthropic effort took place last weekend at ACL Fest, and will take place during the concert series' final three days from Oct. 13-15. Additionally, fans are encouraged to write on the mural about someone they love. The area will also offer up games of plinko and Vodka for Dog People Swag to take home to their furry friends, officials said.

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"Emancipet is excited to partner with Tito's for ACL," said Amy Mills, Chief Executive Officer of Emancipet. "We've been working with Tito’s for the past 20 years and look forward to connecting with music fans and continuing our partnership at the festival."

The funds raised at ACL will go directly to helping Emancipet serve more than 100,000 pets (1,800 healthy pet visits and 500 spay/neuter surgeries weekly) this year through its network of clinics as well as the unprecedented initiative to provide free veterinary care for Houston pets whose owners were impacted by Hurricane Harvey, officials said.

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“Our goal with #LoveTitos is to highlight, educate and encourage fans to spread love within their communities and Emancipet is the perfect partner.” said Zack Flores, Director of Programs at Tito's Handmade Vodka. “We have worked with Emancipet since the early days at Tito’s and we are excited to share their great work with festival goers.”

Officials said Emancipet’s mission is to make veterinary care affordable and accessible to all pet owners. To accomplish this goal, Emancipet is building a national nonprofit low-cost veterinary care system, with clinics in under-served areas of Austin, Houston, Killeen, and Pflugerville Texas; and in Philadelphia.

Officials said Emancipet advocates for public policy that improves the lives of pets in underserved communities, and recently launched Emancipet New School, which equips and inspires animal welfare professionals in becoming change makers. Since it was founded in 1999, Emancipet has spayed or neutered more than 275,000 dogs and cats and will serve more than 100,000 pets and their families this year.

Apropos of nothing, we'd like to include a highlights reel from last year's ACL Fest. Walk down memory lane with us, won't you?

Have fun at ACL Fest Weekend II! Party on, kids!

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>>> Logo courtesy of Tito's Handmade Vodka

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