COCHECTON, NY — The Pump House becomes the PU*P House  as dogs of all shapes and sizes take to the catwalk. 

At the Canine Fashion Contest, those pups will prove that one doesn’t need to be human to be fashionable. 

It all takes place on Saturday, August 20. Registration begins at 3 p.m., the fashion show starts at 4 p.m. and the afterparty takes place at 5 p.m.

Participating dogs and sponsors are being recruited now; see below. 

The event will raise money for the Sullivan County SPCA. 

Hosted by actress, author and Sullivan County resident Melissa Gilbert, the show has a fashion focus. Participants should dress up their dogs—and themselves—and work the runway to impress the judges. 

“We really wanted to use the Cochecton Pump House to give back somehow, and we love dogs,” said Jin Zhang and Dave Lieber, co-owners of the Pump House, and dog-lovers. “A charitable pet fashion show made perfect sense.”

The dogs’ runway looks will be judged by Charles Wilkin, 2 Queens Coffee; Johnny Pizzolato, Stickett Inn; Trey Speegle, Cultivated Catskills; and Clint Alexander, network casting director for FOX.

Others will be announced soon. 

The top three winners will be awarded a custom dog bowl trophy made by local artist Nonna Hall of Nonneta’s Keramika, and filled with surprises. 

Event co-organizer Lynne O’Neill has been producing and directing top runway shows for over 40 years. But “this is the first fashion show that I’ve produced where the models are four-legged and furry... but like others, I expect that the canine models won’t walk down the center of the runway or take direction, either.”

Raffle tickets will be sold and local businesses have generously donated goods and services—you must be present to win.  There will also be a silent auction and a live auction.  

Participating businesses include the Cochecton Pump House, the River Reporter, Cultivated Catskills, 2 Queens Coffee, Ba & Me, Barnlab, Barryville General, Blue Fox Motel, Catskill Brewery, Cheezehound, Cochecton Fire Station, Cold Frank Pet Portraits, Delaware Farm & Garden, DoggieCoutureNY, Forkin' Good Nuts, The Heron, The Laundrette, Lilly Bear Treats, Linda's Country Corner Store, Mayer Wasner, Narrowsburg Proper, Nest Catskills, Nonneta's Keramika by Nonna Hall, One Grand Books, Parke & Ronen, Pollinator Springs, River Gallery, Seminary Hill Orchard & Cidery, Sharon Spiak Pet Portraits, Stickett Inn, The Pupper Cups... and more!

Local pop and paint-by-number artist Trey Speegle created the image for the poster and is donating a limited edition framed print from his recent exhibit at the Catskill Art Space in Livingston Manor.

One hundred percent of the proceeds raised from raffle ticket sales, silent auction and live auction will benefit the Sullivan County SPCA.

And if your dog would like to join the fashionable fun, contact the organizers through Instagram Messenger @cochectonpuphouse.

If you want to stay on top of what’s happening, follow the event on Instagram @cochectonpuphouse #petgala22 @cochectonpumphouse.

If you or your business would like to help sponsor the show, donate to the raffle or make a donation, contact organizers on Instagram as above.