About

ABOUT THE PUPPY CUP

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The Puppy Cup was born far from any racetrack. While travelling in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Crystal Ann Lynn, founder of Mon Petit Amour Manolo (a luxury dog collar and accessories brand), encountered a rescue dog whose adoption had come from a charity gala war-bid. The dog’s new owner described the experience as fun, joyful, beautifully done, and deeply meaningful. 

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Crystal’s beloved companion, Manolo, was also a rescue dog. This detail gave the moment deeper meaning and quietly shaped what The Puppy Cup would become.

 

FROM A SPARK TO A MOVEMENT

 

From that single story, The Puppy Cup began to take shape. Crystal brought the idea home to  Australia and reimagined it through a local lens: a cruelty-free race day and a philanthropic movement that reframes how communities gather. Not around wagering or spectacle, but around compassion, connection and purpose — with rescue puppies at the centre.

 

The result is The Puppy Cup: a joyful celebration where dogs don’t race for sport, but run toward visibility, safety and loving homes.

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AN ETHICAL ANSWER TO THE MELBOURNE CUP

The Puppy Cup is Mon Petit Amour Manolo’s answer to that formative memory and an elegant, ethical, Australian re-imagining of the Melbourne Cup.

There is:

• No racing

• No wagering

• No harm

Instead, there are rescue dogs, refined style, community celebration, and meaningful support for animal welfare organisations doing vital work on the ground. It’s Cup Day redefined.

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WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

 

The Puppy Cup is designed to feel familiar, yet entirely different.

On the day, you can expect:

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🐾 Bring Your Dogs — and Spoil Them
Well-behaved dogs are warmly welcomed and treated like honoured guests, with dog-friendly canapés and thoughtful touches created just for them.

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🐶 Rescue Puppies: Races & Meet
Rescue puppies take centre stage in playful, symbolic races to be adopted and relaxed meet-and-greets. Moments designed to showcase their personalities, share their stories, and spark meaningful adoption connections.

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🥂 Champagne & Canapés
Enjoy champagne and beautifully prepared canapés in a relaxed, social setting that invites connection, conversation and celebration.

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✨ Special Moments to Look Forward To
Past Puppy Cup events have featured a harpist, live artists creating bespoke illustrations of guests with their human and furry families, and even a pet communicator offering gentle, light-hearted insights into what your pets might be thinking. Each event is thoughtfully curated, with unique experiences designed to make the day feel truly special.

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🤍 Impact That Matters
Every ticket and every shared moment helps support rescue visibility, adoption outcomes and the ongoing work of animal welfare organisations. Beyond fundraising, The Puppy Cup raises awareness, encourages adoption, and helps rescue dogs be seen by the people who may become their forever families.

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WHAT WE STAND FOR

 

Ethical celebration: Tradition can evolve. Celebration doesn’t need to come at a cost.

Rescue first: Every Puppy Cup event exists to support rescue dogs and the organisations that care for them.

Joy with purpose: Fun and impact are not opposites — they’re partners.

Transparency and care: Support raised through The Puppy Cup is directed toward animal welfare with clarity, responsibility and respect.