DANIEL ISLAND, S.C. – The Charleston Battery and Charleston Animal Society have partnered for a dog-friendly soccer game at MUSC Health Stadium on Saturday, September 3rd. The event, titled Pups at the Pitch, will take place during the Charleston Battery’s United Soccer League match against long-time rivals Rochester Rhinos, and will have many dog-inspired activities.
Pups at the Pitch will invite attendees to bring their dog along for a Charleston Battery game – the only opportunity this season to catch a soccer match with your pup! The primary goal of the partnership is to raise money and awareness for the Charleston Animal Society and the I Am Caitlyn Anti-Cruelty Fund. A portion of every dog ticket sold will be donated to this cause.
Tickets to Pups at the Pitch cost $20 and include an East Bleacher seat for one human and one dog as well as entry into the Very Important Pups (VIP) tent on the North Concourse. The VIP tent will have giveaways, including treats, bowls, toys, and trips to doggie daycare, courtesy of the event’s sponsors: Charleston Animal Society, Riley’s Place, Pet Wants and TD Bank. Dogs can also enjoy the shade of the tent and take a dip in the doggie pools.
“When businesses help support local non profit organizations everybody wins”, said Kay Hyman, Director of Community Engagement for Charleston Animal Society. “Partnering with Charleston Battery will bring to light the amazing lifesaving work we do, and expose our animal-loving community to the Battery team and the great game of soccer. Having our four legged fur kids join in the fun helps to promote that pets are part of the family!”
Caitlyn, a now-famous survivor of animal abuse, acts as the face of anti-cruelty motions throughout the country. In May of 2015, Caitlyn was found in North Charleston with her muzzle taped shut. Charleston Animal Society helped nurse her back to health as the world looked on and stood up for animal rights.
Pups at the Pitch is as much a celebration of Caitlyn’s progress as it is a fundraising event. Caitlyn will act as the honorary captain for the match and will walk out for the coin toss with Charleston Battery center back Taylor Mueller. The Charleston Battery defender, with a reputation for a tough, aggressive style of play, has a soft spot for animals. Mueller has donated countless hours of his time volunteering at the Charleston Animal Society and was a driving force behind the partnership to create Pups at the Pitch.
“We’ve always enjoyed working with nonprofits and we have many dog lovers within the Battery organization, so when the opportunity to work with Charleston Animal Society came up, we jumped at it,” said Andrew Bell, Charleston Battery President. “The Charleston Battery and the Charleston Animal Society have devout followers, so the build up to the event gives us both a chance to reach new groups of people and bring them together in an effort to raise money for a great cause. The partnership has been fantastic and we look forward to continuing it in the future.”
In addition, Charleston Animal Society will have dogs available for adoption during the match.
Tickets are onsale now and can be purchased online or by calling our box office, (843) 971-GOAL. Visit the Charleston Battery’s Facebook page for more details.
About Charleston Battery:
About Charleston Battery: Charleston Battery is an American professional soccer club based in Charleston, South Carolina. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the United Soccer League and, along with the Richmond Kickers, is the oldest continuously operating professional soccer club in the United States. In 1999, Charleston Battery moved into what is now known as MUSC Health Stadium, becoming the first non-Major League Soccer professional club in the United States to build its own stadium. Charleston Battery is one of the most successful lower division soccer teams in the nation, having previously won the USISL Pro League in 1996, the USL A-League in 2003, and the final season of the USL Second Division in 2010. In 2012, the team won the USL Pro Championship.
About Charleston Animal Society:
Charleston Animal Society is the oldest animal organization in South Carolina and one of the oldest in the Nation. It is also South Carolina’s leader in adoptions, spay/neuter procedures, free roaming cat services and research projects and has a nationally recognized Veterinary Science Initiative. For the second year in a row, Charleston Animal Society is South Carolina’s most honored charity.