Malia Riggs
Elmore Autauga News
Last Saturday was the 17th annual Bark in the Park event, with all bark and no bite, hosted by the Prattville/Autauga Humane Society, PAHS, at Cooters Pond just outside of Prattville. This is PAHS’s biggest fundraising event of the year.
Rabies vaccinations and microchipping were available on site, as well as nail trims at the Vanity Fur booth for a fee of a donation to PAHS. Vendors, concessions, a raffle, bake sale, games and pet contests all took place throughout the event.
“We put this on just to get a little more exposure for adoption. It’s just a fun day. Everyone comes out and this year actually we’ve had a few more vendors than normal. I love to see the community coming together. The people that come out are just so helpful, they’re always asking ‘what do you need?’ ‘What can we do to help?’ It’s amazing,” Director of the Prattville/Autauga Humane Society Ivonne Hilleary said.
PAHS also had adoptable dogs at the event, of all varieties from young puppies to big dogs. PAHS brought 13 dogs, and halfway through the event seven had already been adopted.
“We have a range. Anything from a terrier mix to a st. Bernard mix. Little dogs get adopted really quick, but we do have a lot of great big dogs that are just waiting for their forever home. I am so appreciative for everybody coming out to show us support so I just want to say thank you,”
Adoption fees are $100 year round with PAHS. Anything six months and older has to, if they’re not already spayed or neutered, have a deposit so PAHS can make sure they get spayed or neutered. Six months and younger PAHS does a spay -neuter agreement which is a $50 voucher to go towards the procedure and the new fur-parents can take them home that day.
This is also the first year that rabies vaccinations were available during the event, as $25 microchipping and a nail trim for a donation has been offered in previous years.
Vendors such as the Central Alabama Search and Rescue K9 unit, Kritter Kreations, Animal Care Center, Camp Bow Wow For Healthy Pets and so many more were at the event not only selling products, but networking and interacting with customers of the two-legged and four-legged variety.
PAHS does accept donations year-round, at the shelter Monday through Saturday from 8-4pm They also have a donation box, made by a local Boy Scouts troop. The donations box is right in front of the glass lobby doors and is also weather protected and out of the sun, Hilleary confirmed. Hilleary also stated that receipts are available for individuals looking for a receipt after giving a donation.
