Toast of the Town Planned for 12th Annual Top Dog Event
On Sunday, March 22, 2026, Marsha Panuce, founder and director of Donte’s Den Animal Sanctuary is hosting the 12th annual Top Dog Fundraising event from 4p to 7p at The Toasted Yolk Cafe in Sarasota. Our biggest fundraiser of the year will help raise funds to continue with our mission of helping dogs in need. Dogs whose families can no longer take care of them; dogs left behind, abused, neglected, and/or in need of emergency medical care. We’ll raise a glass to the lives saved and lives lived at the Sanctuary, thanks to our donors, sponsors and supporters.
This year, we’re facing some challenges, necessitated by the growing need to help more dogs, while continuing to care for our aging Lifetime Care Dogs. We are also implementing a new program called Life Happens to help those in our community faced with an emergency. Donte’s Den Animal Sanctuary will provide a temporary hand up until the pet parent’s situation stabilizes by offering boarding for their pets. Think: families who were displaced during 2024 Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024, and could not find safe housing because they had pets.
It will be Brunch For Dinner at our private event with a delicious buffet of comfort foods and refreshing libations including a Bellini and Mimosa Bar, specialty cocktails, coffees, and desserts. A special doggie menu will be available for our dog guests. There will be live entertainment, an inter-active artistic experience, raffles, Gift Card Puppy Pull, and a special presentation from our founder/director Marsha Panuce.
Our Toast of the Town guest will be Rosie, a dog found lying in a ditch with a broken femur and multiple pelvic fractures. Thanks to Donte’s Den Animal Sanctuary’s medical and surgical team, Rosie is doing remarkably well, and even walking now.
The main event, as always, is our Top Dog Contest with celebrity judges. There will be prizes awarded to the Best Kiss, Best Costume, and Best Owner-Dog Look-Alike. A Top Dog Trophy will go to our Grand Prize Winner, and the winner will have a feature in The New Barker dog magazine.
Ticket Price: $150 per person, includes dog(s)’ entry into the Top Dog Contest. All well-behaved leashed dogs are welcome, whether or not they compete in Top Dog. Suggested Attire: Casual. (Pajamas optional – Hey, it’s Brunch for Dinner!)
About Donte’s Den Animal Sanctuary, a 501(c)(3) non-profit: Donte’s Den Animal Sanctuary is a compassionate care facility that comes to the aid of abandoned, abused, or neglected dogs, providing a safe haven with full medical treatment and individualized care.
About The Toasted Yolk Cafe: The Downtown Sarasota location is at 3750 South Tamiami Trail. The restaurant specializes in chef-inspired seasonal creations. Their Toasted After Dark allows for private affairs after the restaurant closes. Dog-friendly. Full bar and specialty coffees.