12-Year-Old Girl Coordinates Star-Studded Dog Benefit

There’s a huge celebrity benefit this Sunday night at LA Dogworks in Los Angeles, but this isn’t just any event – it was put together by a very special young girl, Victoria Strauss.

Strauss has managed to secure some very big names to attend the ASPCA Rock ‘n Roll LA Benefit, including actresses Betty White, Brookley Haley and Chloe King. She also got musicians Madison Logan, Emma Rose and the Band along with MoZaik to perform.

Strauss is an actress, avid animal lover and advocate, and she is only 12 years old. Inspired by animals in dire conditions needing help, she decided to do her part to help them.

i Love Dogs talked to Strauss about her work with animals and why she decided to work with the ASPCA and LA Dogworks, a self-described dog mecca offering a variety of services for dogs including boarding, spa treatments and a 2,500-square-foot indoor dog park.

How were you able to organize this event and get the talent?

I was not sure how to start at first, and I had to decide where to have it. I saw LA Dogworks and thought, That place looks perfect. The owner is an animal lover and his place is orange like the ASPCA. I asked bands that I like, like Emma Rose and the Band, Sole Bovelli and MoZaik, and they were happy to support the cause.

Why did you choose to work with the ASPCA?

I have always loved animals. When I saw their commercial on TV with the sad animals, I decided I want to help them.

Is this the first big charity event that you planned by yourself?

Yes, this my first big event and I can’t wait to do it again next year.

What inspired you to do this?

My love for animals. I also wanted to send out the message to stop puppy mills, adopt from local shelters and to have your pet spayed or neutered.

You’re only 12 and in school. How hard was it to put this event together?

It was not as hard as I thought. I was nervous at first, but now I am more comfortable asking for support. I was happy to get great performers and sponsors, which I would like to thank. If it was not for them, we could not have succeeded.

Do you have pets?

Yes. I have four dogs, a cat, rabbit, gecko, turtle and fish.

Is there anything else you’d like our readers to know?

I would like to let everyone know that owning a pet is a big responsibility, and that it is better to adopt from a shelter because we want to stop puppy mills. I also want people to take the ASPCA pledge to stop puppy mills, and to please spay and neuter your pet.

ASPCA Rock ‘n Roll LA Benefit 4 (Paws)-1-1

When: Sunday, October 2, starting at 6 p.m.
Place: LA Dogworks, 1014 North Highland Ave., Los Angeles, Calif. 90038
Phone: 323-461-5151
Tickets: Still available. $30 at the door, or $20-25 if you buy them before the event.

All of the proceeds from the event will go to the ASPCA. For tickets and more information, click here.

PHOTO: Rejoyce over touch

Sonya Simpkins

Sonya Simpkins is a contributing writer for i Love Dogs, Inc. In her spare time, she loves to take her dogs for long hikes and treks to the beach, out to eat and on long road trips across the county. She then turns those adventures into useful advice for other dog parents who also love to take their dogs with them wherever they go.