Animal Care Society’s 16th Annual Event Returns September 28
Louisville’s Seneca Park has gone to the dogs! The Animal Care Society invites the Louisville community to its 16th annual Bark in the Park fundraiser, a celebration of all things canine.
This year’s event takes place on Saturday, Sept. 28. Registration is at 7 a.m. with the 5K race beginning at 8 a.m. This event is family-friendly and open to the entire Louisville community.
During the event, attendees learn more about the shelter, how they can help displaced animals and get to know other animal rescue organizations and animal-friendly businesses nearby.
“We invite and encourage all of the local animal rescue organizations to participate, so they can spread the word about their mission and hopefully find loving homes for their adoptable animals,” says Bunny Zeller, executive director of the Animal Care Society.
“Our goal is to raise as much money as we can so we can continue our mission,” Zeller says.
For the event, 100% of proceeds benefit the cats and dogs at Louisville’s first no-kill animal shelter.
All four and two-legged attendees can experience all of the activities. Dogs and humans alike can register to participate in the 5K run, cool off in the kiddie pools, run the Lure Courses by Lucky Dogs Adventures, and chow down on pizza and hotdogs.
The fun starts with the traditional Bark in the Park staple: The Woof Walk/Run. Participants can at animalcaresociety.org/bark-in-the-park-woof-walk-registration. Each walker/runner will receive a Wag Bag full of coupons, goodies and an official 2019 Bark in the Park T-Shirt. Participants with the best time and with the most money raised will receive prizes.
The fun doesn’t stop after the races. The remainder of the event will be full of activities for adults, kids and dogs of all ages, including contests, silent auctions, raffles and vendor booths.
Enter the Halloween Contest with your pooch, participate in the Kissing Contest for the pooch with the best smooch, and the owner Look-A-Like Contest will all take place again this year. Catch a puppy performance by canines Lilly and Daisy, as well as LMPD K-9 Unit. Additionally, there will be several vendors in attendance to spread the word about their missions and services to the community.
From Veterinary offices to rescue organizations, there are a number of vendors and sponsors at Bark in the Park. Each sponsor receives a free vendor space. If you would like to be a vendor or sponsor at Bark in the Park this year, please reach out to events@animalcaresociety.org.
A silent auction will also take place at this year’s event. Up for auction will be Halloween baskets and Thanksgiving baskets, along with an Italian and barbecue basket.
Bark in the Park began in 2003 as a way of encouraging community participation and awareness of animal homelessness. A board member from The Animal Care Society recognized the immediate need for more funds to care for the animals that were homeless or surrendered.
“With these funds, we can continue to spread the word about the importance of pet ownership and lifetime commitment to animals,” Zeller says. “We also provide a reasonable cost to microchipping their pet and the need to spay and neuter. Bark in the Park also gives fostering rescue organizations a chance to share their mission and to find homes for the animals in their care.”
This truly is a community event unlike any other with a dedicated concentration on animal well-being.
“The biggest need in the community is funds for medical bills for the animals,” Zeller says. “It is not cheap to keep a shelter running and animals healthy. We spare no expense on any animal that comes into our shelter.”
The Animal Care Society relies on donations in the form of money, time and supplies. The Society always welcomes donations of the items from their wishlist. You can find a complete list of items needed by the shelter on their website. These supplies are used on a daily basis and are very much appreciated by the shelter.
The Animal Care Society is excited to see attendees and four-legged friends of all ages at The Society’s annual Bark in the Park event.
The Animal Care Society is located at 12207 Westport Road in Louisville. For more information, visit animalcaresociety.org or give them a call at 502-426-6303.
Bark in the Park Schedule
(all times and events are tentative)
7 a.m. – Run/Walk Registration Begins
8 a.m. – Woof Walk/Run Begins
9 a.m. – Vendor Booths Open
10 a.m. – Owner/Pet Look-A-Like Contest and Kissing Contest
10:30 a.m. – Costume Contest
11 a.m. – Performing Lilly and Daisy The Dogs
11:30 a.m. – ACS Alumni Picture
11:30 a.m. – LMPD K-9 Unit
12:30 p.m. – Dog of the Year
1:00 p.m. – Silent Auction Concludes
