Free Biscuits Foundation to host Puppy Palooza, a family-friendly fundraiser to keep dogs and families together

FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. -- Free Biscuits Foundation, a Nassau County-based nonprofit dedicated to keeping dogs with the families who love them, will host its flagship fundraising event, Puppy Palooza, on Saturday, August 8, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Palace Shipyard, 117 Centre St., Fernandina Beach.

The free, family and dog-friendly event will feature a live DJ, local food trucks, dog trainer demonstrations, raffles, and appearances from area sponsors and partners. Adoptable dogs from the Nassau Humane Society and Nassau County Animal Services will also be on-site, giving attendees the chance to meet local rescues in need of homes.

Proceeds from Puppy Palooza will directly fund Free Biscuits' mission of “Keeping Families Together” by helping dog owners cover unexpected veterinary costs that might otherwise force them to surrender a beloved pet. Free Biscuits provides emergency vet cost assistance, essential pet supplies, shelter partnerships, and is working toward mobile wellness care and pet insurance assistance.

“Every dog deserves a treat and a chance,” said Ryan Mendenhall, Founder of Free Biscuits Foundation. “Puppy Palooza is about bringing our community together to celebrate dogs while raising the funds that let us step in for a family when a vet bill would otherwise mean giving up their pet. That's exactly what happened with my own dog, Biscuit, and it's why we started the Free Biscuits Foundation.”

Free Biscuits Foundation was founded after Founder Ryan's dog, Biscuit, was diagnosed with pancreatitis in 2024, resulting in a vet bill of more than $15,000. The experience inspired Ryan and fellow co-founders Devan Flannery and Matthew Brookshire to launch Free Biscuits to help other Florida families avoid facing that same impossible choice.

Puppy Palooza is made possible with support from local and regional sponsors, including the Nassau Humane Society, Nassau County Animal Services, Pet Paradise, Fernando Cevallos - State Farm, Trupanion, A1A Spirits, Final Fetch, Être Canine, Rejuvant, The Foundation of Community Hospice & Palliative Care Vets & Pets Team, Noel Cesar - The Barkside Training, and John Edwards with Local Roots Fitness and AIDJ.

The event is free and open to the public and leashed, friendly dogs are welcome. Attendees are encouraged to follow @freebiscuitsofficial on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok for event updates.

About Free Biscuits Foundation

Free Biscuits Foundation is a Florida-based nonprofit headquartered in Fernandina Beach, Nassau County, dedicated to keeping dogs with the families who love them. Through emergency veterinary cost assistance, essential supplies, and shelter partnerships, Free Biscuits helps prevent pet surrender due to financial hardship, with plans to expand mobile wellness care, pet insurance assistance, and its reach nationally. Learn more at Free Biscuits or follow @freebiscuitsofficial on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.