Thousands Attend Celebration Supporting Dog Rescue and Welfare
More than 2,000 dog lovers and their four-legged companions gathered in West Hollywood on Saturday, May 17, 2025, for the eighth annual World Dog Day, hosted by television personality Lisa Vanderpump, her husband Ken Todd, and The Vanderpump Dog Foundation. The outdoor celebration, held in partnership with the City of West Hollywood and presented by NutriSource Pet Foods, aimed to raise awareness about dog abuse while honoring the bond between humans and their pets.
The event featured over 45 pet-focused vendors, celebrity appearances, live entertainment, and adoption and education zones to promote responsible pet ownership. Attendees enjoyed activities such as the “Vanderpump Dogs Look-Alike Contest”, a Doggy Pie Eating Contest, and a Games Tent presented by SUR Restaurant. A Doggy Play Park sponsored by Fresh Patch kept canine guests entertained throughout the day.
Lisa Vanderpump welcomed the crowd with a message of gratitude and purpose, highlighting the foundation’s accomplishments since its inception in 2016. “It’s incredible to me that we are celebrating our eighth World Dog Day—this is truly my favorite day of the year,” Vanderpump said. “Through this foundation, we’ve rescued thousands of dogs in Los Angeles and helped countless more around the world. Events like this bring attention to the ongoing issues of abuse and neglect and allow us to raise vital funds to continue our mission.”
The event also included a dog adoption area, presented by NextStar & Capstar, and an Education Area hosted by Penthouse Paws, offering resources and information for pet owners and prospective adopters.
Entertainment was emceed by singer-songwriter Sam DeRosa, with special appearances by Tom Schwartz from Vanderpump Rules and cast members of Hulu’s Vanderpump Villa, Anthony Bar, Hagen Bach, Sam Terry, and Aidan McHugh, who served as celebrity judges for various contests. DJ Bateeza kept the energy high throughout the afternoon with a live set.
Celebrities in attendance included actress Maggie Lawson (Psych) as well as Vanderpump Rules stars Tom Sandoval and Tom Schwartz.
Vanderpump closed the event by thanking her team, volunteers, and sponsors. “I’m so proud of the work our Foundation has done over the past eight years. None of it would be possible without the commitment of our staff, our incredible volunteers, and the generous support of the City of West Hollywood and sponsors like NutriSource,” she said. “We’ll continue to save dogs in critical condition through our Emergency Medical Fund and rescue as many lives as we can.”
