Bark in the Park 16
Bark in the Park photos have been posted!
Click on the link below to view photos from this fantastic event!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/theanticrueltysociety/sets/72157623873515061/
The Anti-Cruelty Society’s 16th Annual Bark in the Park
Sponsored by Hills Science Diet, PetSmart, ABC-7, Harris Investment Management, and WBBM
On Saturday, May 1st approximately 3,000 dogs and 3,500 of their human companions attended our 16th annual Bark in the Park. This 5K walk, with or without your dog, was an exciting morning of fun for everyone that attended.
Former Board Member, Jerry Hagerty and his dog Chester, a Cocker Spaniel adopted from The Anti-Cruelty Society, started the walk at 9 a.m. With nearly perfect weather conditions everyone was very excited and enjoyed their 3.2 mile walk along the lakefront course.
As participants finished the walk they were greeted by our generous human food sponsors Honest Tea, Starbucks, Burrito Beach, Quaker, EAS Mioplex, Hinckley Springs, Stanley’s Fruit Market, New York Style, Federated Food Group, Talerico-Martin Bakery and many more. Small Business Pavilion sponsors offered doggie treats and other goodies for pets and the humans.
At the stage, ABC 7’s Hosea Sanders and Roz Varon, Bart Shore from WBBM, and certified dog and cat behavior consultant, Steve Dale, and their dogs, ran the show, announcing activities and prizes for the day. The U.S. Postal Service unveiled their new 2010 social awareness stamps that include real shelter pets. Dr. Robyn Barbiers, President of The Anti-Cruelty Society also helped out at the stage and announced a few of the raffle ticket winners.
We also had several exciting contests at the stage. Boricua and his owner Samuel Rosado won the Pet/Owner look-Alike contest. While, China and her owner Stephanie from Dolton, entered and won the doggie fashion parade. And Authos, Bucho and their owner Julie Brungard were the winners of the best doggie trick category.
Dogs that weren’t competing in the stage activities could be found at the Hawk City K9 agility course or in the Family Fun Tent playing games, stamping paw prints and getting doggie tattoos.
Bally Total Fitness warmed up the people and Integrative Pet Care warmed up the pups before the walk, and Pam Kuhn cooled them down in the spa tent by giving doggie massages. Kevin Landis drew charity pet portraits for event participants. And, Denise Zak, Animal Intuitive, was helping owners find out how much fun their dogs were really having at Bark in the Park or how happy their kitty was because she was having a party home.
Individuals and pledge teams raised funds on their own to benefit The Anti-Cruelty Society. Over $77,000 was raised by pledge supporters alone.
Team Hot Dogs, formed largely by members of local breed enthusiast and social club, Chicago Dachshund Lovers, included 49 walkers, 64 dogs and raised over $13,000 for the animals of The Anti-Cruelty Society, winning the Team Challenge for the third straight year. Organizer Kim Schiro said, “Bark is a wonderful opportunity to help those in need and we are looking forward to Bark in the Park 16!”
Our top individual pledger was first time Bark in the Park attendee, Ashley Alexander raising over $2,500 for the animals. The second top pledger was Kim Schiro and the third was Angie McGrath . Thank you to all of our fundraisers for helping us to raise funds for our life-saving programs and services.
In total, The Anti-Cruelty Society raised over $200,000 for the 16th annual Bark in the Park, our largest fundraiser of the year. We’d like to thank all of our sponsors including, PetSmart, ABC-7, Harris Bank and Harris Investment Management, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, and Berman’s Auto Group, Zeus and Company, Starbucks, Honest Tea, Quaker, Burrito Beach, Stanley’s Fruit Market, Animal ARK, Hawk City K9, Blum Animal Hospital, Intervet/Schering Plough Animal Health, Quaker, EAS Mioplex, Hinckley Springs, New York Style, Federated Food Group, Talerico-Martin Bakery, Pepper Construction and all of our small business sponsors, everyone who underwrote items for Bark in the Park, and of course our wonderful volunteers!
All proceeds from Bark in the Park will help us continue to build our community of caring by helping pets and educating people. For information about Bark in the Park, on Saturday, May 7, 2010 please call Emily Ledergerber 312-644-8338 ext. 319 or email events@anticruelty.org.