Introducing Duty Free Unleashed: A new column in association with Tito’s Handmade Vodka

The Moodie Davitt Report is proud to introduce a new series of columns, Duty Free Unleashed, in association with Tito’s Handmade Vodka. In this regular fun feature we aim to discover more about industry personalities around the world through their relationships with their pets.

When we were considering potential partners for this new section, Tito’s was an obvious candidate. The independent vodka brand from Austin, Texas has had a close connection with the welfare of dogs since its founding by Bert ‘Tito’ Beveridge in 1997.

 

The company has always been committed to rescuing and protecting the animals that have come into the lives of its people, and has even created a programme, Vodka for Dog People, to help that come to life. Team members are also encouraged to take their dogs to work, with many on-site at the office every day.

Tito’s Managing Director International John McDonnell said: “When Tito was starting out he built a one-room shack for his first still, and he would take his dog, DogJo, up there and the two would stay there overnight. Other stray dogs would come up to them and he would feed them and try to find them homes. Now over 25 years we have rescued over 100 dogs just at the distillery itself.”

That ethos of caring for animals continues now through a wide-reaching, continuous fundraising drive through Vodka for Dog People.

It involves organising and supporting pet welfare events around the world, alongside selling merchandise on Tito’s own website – from t-shirts to leads to dog toys – the proceeds of which go entirely to non-profit organisations.

“We do so much more. In on-premise outlets we raise money during what we call ‘Yappy Hours’ not happy hours. So the operator promotes Tito’s, generates a portion of proceeds to the charity, then Tito’s matches that. And there are many people we work with who are very passionate about raising money for pet care, so it really strikes a chord.”

McDonnell added: “What is really amazing is the one to one relationships we have developed with people. They post Tito’s wearables on TikTok or Instagram, they engage with us in so many ways, and it has become part of the culture of the company.

The range of initiatives runs deep. The brand is a supporter of Wings of Rescue to raise funds toward its mission of transporting pets from overcrowded shelters and disaster areas to safe havens and forever homes. Tito’s has also been a long-time supporter of B.A.R.C. (Basseterre Animal Rescue Centre) on St. Kitts, which opened in 2019. Through US$1 per bottle fundraising programmes and local ‘Yappy Hours’, Tito’s helped raise funds for the building of the centre, and Tito’s team members flew to St. Kitts to help paint and prepare the building for opening.

Pet welfare is just one element of an ambitious corporate social responsibility drive at Tito’s that encourages employees to give back to the causes, efforts and organisations that move them.

Vodka for Dog People represents a continuous drive to fund-raise for animal causes, including through the sale of merchandise

In March 2020, as the COVID-19 crisis deepened, the company pivoted fast to make and supply hand sanitiser using its production facilities. Through the pandemic the company freely supplied over 1,270 tons of Tito’s Hand Cleanser to those on the frontline, non-profit organisations and communities in 48 US states.

In travel retail, Tito’s is partnering with leading retailers to support their chosen charities. Recently, one of those initiatives, with Duty Free Americas, raised US$25,000 for cerebral palsy. Tito’s will also be working with DFS Group to support Meals on Wheels America.

“We don’t shout about our CSR efforts every day but we do a lot to help the people and communities we’re a part of,” says McDonnell.

“We are very proud to work with The Moodie Davitt Report for this new column, which shines a light on the importance of pets to people around the travel retail world.”

*If you would like to feature (with your pet) in a forthcoming edition of this regular column, please contact Dermot Davitt at Dermot@MoodieDavittReport.com or Martin Moodie at Martin@MoodieDavittReport.com

Broken Biscuits is a world first disabled animal centre that readers are encouraged to support

**Note: Through this new column, Tito’s Handmade Vodka and The Moodie Davitt Report are partnering to promote the work of brokenbiscuits.org, a disabled animal charity. As the world’s first disabled animal centre, its work includes:

  • Providing equipment to families
  • Offering homes to paraplegic, deaf, blind and disabled animals
  • An education programme of visiting schools and universities
  • Working alongside rescue centre, rehabbers and veterinary professionals
  • Caring for stray and surrendered disabled animals

To support the work of Broken Biscuits, you can donate via this link or find out more via the youtube channel.

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