Barktober Fest 2009 Woof Woof

Barktober Fest 2009 - Woof

This coming Sunday, October 25, 2009 is the Humane Society of St. Thomas’ 8th annual Barktober Fest. To say that I am emotionally attached to this event is a HUGE understatement.

8 years ago, as a very new board member, I agreed to put into place the “Brain Child” of Joe Aubain, the President of the Humane Society of St. Thomas. His idea was to bring a fun outdoor, family event to the island during the month of October, a slower time here. The purpose of the event was to educate people on the humane care of animals, allow a place where people could gather for food and drinks, have contests where everyone’s animal ‘kids’ could strut their stuff in new costumes, and over all have a great time.

The first year we held this event at Latitude 18, and I got every person I knew to volunteer, help, donate, whatever. We made $2000, but it was the start of something big (and FUN!).

Eight years later, I can easily say that the brain child of Joe Aubain has certainly accomplished what he wanted. It’s taken the involvement of several people, Stacey Alverado of How ‘Bout Your Pet being one of them, as well as many others on the board who have had great ideas. But this year, we anticipate a record $12,000 to $15,000 to be raised at this event.

This year is very different because we are hosting it at the site of the NEW Humane Care Campus across from Cost U Less and the Movie Theater. Tours will be available for anyone who wants to see the new buildings. The new campus is still $460,000 away from opening, but we hope that people will look into their hearts and pocketbooks and give generously. If you would like to make a donation, the website is www.hsstt.com .

This year we have several sponsors, West Indies, Carib Beer, Alpine Securites, Leslie Maxwell, Real Solutions, Hunter Foods, and Pedigree. Everyone is pitching in to make it new and exciting. There will be a pumpkin decorating contest for the kids, a haunted bow-wow trail for the kids, contests for the dogs, and great food and drink for the whole family. I will be there all day, and I really hope to see you there too.