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Helping animals has always been a top priority for franchise owners Jane Banke and Leslie Bottesch, and the doggie daycare brand has helped them meet these goals.
Hounds Town USA, the 30-plus-unit doggie daycare center franchise, is proud to be the self-proclaimed “home to the happiest dogs on Earth!” The company’s commitment to taking care of animals does not just stop at the boarding and grooming services offered at each location, however. Hounds Town USA is dedicated to charitable efforts that help out canines in need.
Jane Banke and Leslie Bottesch are the franchise owners of Hounds Town USA’s Space Coast location in Rockledge, Florida. As both animal lovers and staunch supporters of human rights, the two found an exciting new way to combine those passions into a philanthropic community event called “Queens for Canines.”
The first annual event featured a series of drag queen performances in which all ticket sales and donations go to a combination of four local animal rescues: Furever Home Animal Rescue, Inc., Riley's Rescue of Brevard, SPCA of Brevard and Touch of Grey Rescue.
“Hounds Town is a place where regardless of walk of life, every person has one thing in common: a love for dogs. There are no politics when it comes to doing what's right for animals,” Bottesch said. “We thought there is no better way than to have different people coming together for the cause than a drag show, which is a wonderful, uplifting, entertaining art form and an act of love and laughter.”
The event was a huge success, with attendance reaching approximately 300 people for an evening of community engagement and entertainment. Tickets were $35 each, and raffle drawings ran all evening long featuring prizes from local businesses, where attendees had the opportunity to win anything from hotel stays to jewelry and more.
During the three-hour party, drag queens Josie Milan, Bridgette Galore, Azhia Li Kincade, Angelica Kincade and host Raquel Markstone performed several entertainment numbers, with Disney-themed acts and famous celebrity impersonations such as Tina Turner, Carol Channing and Cruella de Vil.
“We had all sorts of different genres and a full scope of entertainment and comedy. It was exciting and a lot of fun,” said Bottesch. “There was a big turnout and a good crowd.”
The evening’s proceeds raised an impressive $10,000 that will go towards local charities to provide medical care, supplies, food and the necessary costs for adoption and fostering. This brings Hounds Town USA Space Coast’s total charity donation count to around $20,000.
The franchisees’ dedication to their local community set an impressive example in the industry. They continue to make waves with their new business ownership after recognitions such as Franchise Business Review naming them "Franchise Rock Stars" for 2022.
“In our time open, we’ve quickly learned it's all about community. This was an inclusive and fun event, raising money for a good cause and supporting the mission of Hounds Town,” said Bottesch. “We want to encourage the community to see the world like dogs — to live in the moment and love one another.”
ABOUT HOUNDS TOWN USA
Since 2000, Hounds Town USA has offered a safe and welcoming environment for dogs to be dogs. With interactive doggie daycare, pet boarding, dog grooming, a pet taxi and retail services, Hounds Town USA’s unique town for dogs is home to the happiest dogs — and franchise owners — on Earth. Founded by former NYPD canine handler and commanding officer of the Nassau County Police Department Michael S. Gould, Hounds Town USA has grown to more than 30 locations with plans to open 30 more units in 2023. For more information, please visit http://www.houndstownfranchise.com.
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