I love finding cool, interesting stories not just here in Pittsburgh, but all over America! I think you're going to love this one as much as I do because, let's face it, it pairs two of my favorite things: beer.... and dogs!
Scott Porter of Portland, Oregon, was inspired by a cat cafe he visited several years ago. Coffee and cats sounded nice, sure. But dogs and beer were more up his alley. So in 2018, Porter took a leap of faith and opened Fido's Tap House, the world's first dog taphouse that doubles as a foster home for rescue dogs.
"Fido's is unique," Porter explains. "We focus not only on beer, cider and wine. We primarily focus on charities, dog rescues and helping them to solve the pet population problem."
The dogs live in a separate room from the bar, equipped with kennel cages, toys and food. Up to eight dogs can be accommodated, though Fido's usually fosters three or four at a time.
Since opening in early 2018, Fido's has helped more than 70 dogs find their forever homes. Helping people connect with dogs is most meaningful to Porter, who says his pets helped save his life.
"My own dogs helped me through some pretty severe depression," Porter recalls.
Most of the animals come from their own challenging behavioral or living circumstances, Porter tells me. But after weeks of living in a stable, loving environment at Fido's, their personalities bloom.
Fido's Tap Room is located in Portland, Oregon. Scott Porter says he would be thrilled if his idea caught on and spread a little further east... perhaps even to Pittsburgh.
