This Award-Winning Vodka Was Created by an Animal Rescuer to Save Pets In Need

There’s a vodka redefining what it means to drink with purpose. Hera The Dog Vodka, an award-winning vodka brand founded by animal rescuer Julia Pennington, blends premium spirit craftsmanship with a mission: every bottle sold raises money for grassroots animal rescues and life-saving programs in the communities where it’s purchased.

Julia, a longtime animal rescue advocate, saw firsthand how small, local organizations constantly struggle for funding. Partnering with family ties at Pennington Distilling Co. in Nashville, she launched Hera The Dog Vodka to create a sustainable fundraising model: a high-quality, gold-medal vodka dedicated to giving back.

Since day one, Hera has pledged 6% of all sales, even before profitability, to rescue groups, already raising over $68,000. The long-term mission is bold: donate 50% of profits to animal rescue. Every dollar stays local, ensuring customers see the impact of their purchase.

Hera The Dog Vodka has also mobilized in times of crisis:

• 16,000+ pounds of pet food distributed during the 2023 LA snow storms.
• A pandemic-era program feeding pets of out-of-work hospitality workers, supporting 50–70 animals per month.
• Critical aid during the Los Angeles fires, helping over a dozen rescue teams evacuate animals.

Crafted from 100% organic Italian, non-GMO wheat, distilled seven times, and filtered through coconut charcoal, Hera delivers a silky, clean taste with subtle vanilla notes. Free of sugars, preservatives, and additives, it’s been recognized with top honors, including:

• Gold 2019 SIP Awards
• Gold 2020 Bartender Spirits Awards
• Gold 2020 SIP Awards
• Gold 2020 Consumer Choice Award
• Gold Medal, 94 Points – Bartender Spirits Awards
• 92 Points – The Tasting Panel
• Silver Medal – Best Tasting Spirits
• Double Gold 2024 SIP Awards

“Our cause is not a marketing gimmick; our cause is the reason Hera exists” says founder Julia Pennington. “I want our customers to not only to know where the donations go but to also truly experience the impact they make by choosing Hera.”

Hera The Dog Vodka is sold in Southern California, Nevada, and Colorado at premium retailers like Erewhon and Pavilions, and online. For updates, stockists, and offers, visit the official site or follow Hera The Dog Vodka on social media.