Back in 2015, The Pier’s Blake Taylor introduced us to Cocoa The Tour Dog and told the story of the bond between Stick Figure front-man Scott Woodruff and his rescue pet. Three years later, Cocoa still graces the stage with Stick Figure accepting gifts from fans and reveling in the lights and energy. She has a bigger mission, though.
Along with help from her human counterparts, Cocoa and the Stick Figure family have launched an initiative to help homeless pets and pulled in their reggae community to help.
The Cocoa Foundation was formed to bring assistance to the people and families that provide shelter to animals without homes. It was inspired by Cocoa, who found herself in a kill shelter before her lucky adoption by Woodruff. The Foundation is entirely non-profit and looks 
to collaborate with other charities who use their funds purely to advance the cause. Cocoa’s days as an at-risk animal are over. She frequently hikes in Big Sur and plays in the Tahoe snow. Fans love her instagram pictures of her ‘leash-less’ lifestyle.
During their Above the Storm Tour, Stick Figure partnered with local animal rescue organizations at nine stops and allowed them to raise funds at the concert. “Everyone had so much fun at the show, creating awareness for the animals they advocate for while jamming to some great music,” Rachelle Campbell, the director for the charity, tells The Pier.
They raised around $4,000 for the groups through the outreach. The band also donated $13,000 from tour merchandise sales to the Houston SPCA to specifically help homeless pets from Hurricane Harvey. As the tour wrapped up, it left the band ready for more philanthropy. Plans for the upcoming summer dates with Slightly Stoopid and Pepper have developed, with rescue organizations front and center in the concert venues. They plan to add photos and descriptions to animals needing homes on Cocoa’s social media and the Foundation’s website.
There has been at least one adoption from the shows already – a fan who felt inspired through one of the organizations and adopted a pet, naming it ‘Woodruff.’
Stick Figure’s Tour with Slightly Stoopid and Pepper will be playing events across the US from June to August 2018. If you would like to help The Cocoa Foundation, look for the charities set up by the merchandise table, or pick up a Rasta-colored collar for your own pet from Cocoa’s merchandise line.
Watch: Cocoa The Tour Dog Slo-Mo
Related Links:
Exclusive Stick Figure Blog
Stick Figure Website
The Cocoa Foundation
@CocoaTheTourDog
Article By: Jessica Farthing
Photo By: In The Barrel Photo
Watch: Stick Figure – “Fire On The Horizon”
