Whether there to bring comfort, humor, or help remind guests of the evening's cause, pets have a place at some events. Here's a look at happenings—from black-tie galas to art showings—that have pulled out all the stops for furry guests. From low tables that dogs can comfortably eat at to plenty of berber carpet for cats' claws, here's a look at how 10 events made pets feel at home.
To help launch its downtown store in 2012, CityTarget turned Seattle's Plymouth Pillars Dog Park into a doggy wonderland. It was a fitting promotion for a brand whose mascot is a bull terrier named Bullseye. CityTarget worked with Seattle’s Rally Marketing Group to develop the experience, which included a “bonetender” at a stocked Bone Bar that offered complimentary treats and toys.
At the 2010 fund-raiser in Boston, guests were brought face-to-face with the cause they were supporting. Staffers from the Animal Rescue League circulated with cuddly creatures, including kittens.
At this year's TEDActive, the official simulcast of the TED conference, attendees' dogs were welcome at the host venue in Palm Springs as well as the event itself, adding to the easygoing vibe.
Produced by Extra! Extra! in New York in 2010, the cat-food companies' event displayed sustainable artwork submitted by more than 100 consumers from across the country. Each piece sat atop a podium covered with berber carpet, the same material used for cat scratching posts.
At the 2012 event in Miami, guests got keepsake drawings that memorialized their furry friends. Caricature artists drew pictures of guests and their pets during cocktail hour.
The event also included a pet-friendly fashion component. Pawpurrazzi co-chair Bunny Bastian and her family walked their dogs in the "Great Pets Who Walk in Front of Great People" show.
At Purina's gourmet dog food promotion at New York's Gotham Hall in 2010, the center of the room held four long serving tables where dogs were invited to chow down. Designers used hedging to keep the dogs from snacking off other guests' plates.
At Paws 4 You's pet-friendly concert in Miami in 2011, Cupcake.Love.Miami donated 500 miniature cupcakes—including ones designed for dogs to eat.
Chicago's Pets Are Worth Saving hosts an annual black-tie Fur Ball that guests can bring their dogs to. At the 2009 event, pet buffets had silver trays of decorated dog treats.
Kehoe Designs decorated the Fur Ball's bars with porcelain dogs in bow ties.
