At the Humane Society of Vero Beach & Indian River County’s annual Bark in the Park Dog Walk & Fun Fest at Riverside Park, many visitors who had walked in alone were sorely tempted to walk out with a four-legged soulmate. And that’s exactly what organizers were hoping for.
While hundreds of humans and their canine companions were enjoying the high-flying stunts of the Disc-Connected Frisbee Dogs, an Indian River County Sheriff’s K-9 demonstration, a dog lure chase and the dock-diving jumping pool, other potential parents were bonding with pups in the shelter’s adoption tent.
With a primary goal of finding the dogs a forever home, HSVBIRC volunteers continually wandered about with their adorable furry friends, mingling with attendees and bringing interested parties to the adoption tent to begin the ownership process.
Eric Crump and stepdaughter Tiffany Johnson filled out the paperwork to adopt a beautiful German shepherd-mix puppy; its two siblings were also available for adoption.
“We raised these puppies in the shelter. We bonded with them all and you hate to see them go, but it is exciting to see them go to a loving home,” said Michael Mandel, HSVBIRC interim executive director, replacing Chalmers Morse, who is now Humane Society Foundation executive director.
The Humane Society recently accepted the emergency rescue of several dozen dogs saved from a Korean meat market. After evaluations, spay/neutering, shots and medical attention, the dogs will be put up for adoption.
This was the fourth year for Bark in the Park, which has grown significantly each year. This year’s perfectly gorgeous day drew roughly 1,500 dogs, each busily sniffing and socializing with pooches and humans alike.
The concept of Bark in the Park was initiated by two couples, members of the Humane Society’s Yuppy Puppies, who envisioned a fundraiser that could simultaneously raise money and awareness.
“Amanda and Brad Pfennig along with Andrea and Steve Smith brought the idea to us,” said Tim Swift, who at that time was the director of development and is now a volunteer. “The first year Steve asked me how many I thought would show up and I said maybe 500. Well, we had 5,000.”
At the time, only service animals were allowed in the park, but that hurdle was quickly resolved.
“Rob Slezak and the City of Vero Beach lined up behind us right off the bat,” said Swift. “Obviously, without them we could not have done this or keep doing it.”
The initial event raised $15,000. Last year, thanks to sponsorships and vendors, volunteers and groups who raise money in “packs,” more than $45,000 was raised. They were on track to raise that amount again in 2017.
“It really is a special event,” said Swift. “Just look at all the people out here today. It raises awareness of our services like the Wellness Clinic but it also makes the animals more accessible to be adopted. Sometimes you have to bring the animals to where the people are.”
