Pooches & Smooches Charity Event Being Held By Ashburn Businesses

ASHBURN, VA — Woofie's and Ellen Zangla Photography are hosting the second annual Pooches & Smooches charity event on Saturday, Feb. 13, at Woofie's Ashburn office. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Ampersand Pantry project to help provide food and other personal items of local residents in need, according to a press release.

Woofie's Ashburn office is located at 44200 Waxpool Road, Suite 137 in Ashburn. The event is scheduled to run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

Local pet owners can visit the event to have a professional photographer, Ellen Zangla, take pictures of their pets on a Valentine's Day-themed set. Ellen Zangla is a professional photographer based in Loudoun County who specializes in portraits of pets. The Valentine's Day set was designed by A New View, an interior design business based in Ashburn.

Attendees are requested to donate $25 for each photo of their pet.

This year's event will feature several precautions to protect attendees and Woofie's employees. Masks will be required for all human attendees and staff members, and social distancing measures will be in place. The Woofie's team is also pre-scheduling appointment times for the event, and requesting that families only bring one or two people alongside their pet.

Leslie Barron is the co-owner and co-founder of Woofie's. "We are thrilled to be able to hold Pooches & Smooches this year with added safety measures to protect everyone involved,” Barron said in a press release. "We love that pet owners will receive an adorable Valentine’s photo of their pet while helping to raise money for local families needing assistance.”

Woofie's is a professional pet services franchise that offers dog walking, pet sitting, and mobile pet spa services. They also operate a grooming school and provide classes on pet first aid and CPR. There are Woofie's locations currently serve areas in Ashburn, Leesburg, Reston-Herndon, and South Riding-Aldie.

The Ampersand Pantry project works with volunteers and restaurants to provide meals, pet food, and diapers for those who need them. The project operates a drive through on East Market Street, and pantries on Edwards Ferry Road and Harrison Street.

Those looking to learn more or donate can visit the project's website.