The Animal Rescue League of Berks County and Reading Coffee Company unveiled their exclusive 2026 signature coffee and tea blends during an event Saturday, Sept. 12, in Birdsboro.
The annual partnership featured two rescue dogs whose portraits received the most votes during the ARL’s Pet Portrait Fundraiser earlier this year.
River, a rescue dog owned by Ruth Hafer of West Lawn, received 3,472 votes and was selected to appear on the signature coffee blend. Birdie, a rescue dog and ARL alum owned by Sue Gerhart of Mohnton, was featured on the signature tea blend.
The winning pets were selected through the ARL’s annual Pet Portrait Fundraiser, which concluded in June. Pet owners commissioned custom portraits of their animals that were created by local volunteer artists using a variety of artistic mediums.
The completed portraits were displayed during an art show at Alvernia University, where members of the community voted for their favorites through donations. Money raised through the voting benefited the ARL and its work caring for animals in need.
During Saturday’s unveiling at Reading Coffee Company, guests had the opportunity to sample the new blends, learn about the pets featured on the packaging and purchase bags of the signature coffee and tea.
The event also included ARL merchandise, enrichment activities for dogs and food available for purchase from Reading Coffee Company.
The signature blends will remain available for purchase throughout the year at the ARL, with proceeds from each bag sold benefiting animals in the organization’s care.
