The Duncan Banner

Homepage

Related Photos

  • Pam Spurlock holds a hoop out for her pooch Coby during the Best Trick contest at Bark in the Park. Rebeka Rutledge/The Duncan Banner

    Pam Spurlock holds a hoop out for her pooch Coby during the Best Trick contest at Bark in the Park.
October 7, 2012

Park full of chilly dogs

Bark in the Park attendees fill Fuqua

Rebeka Rutledge The Duncan Banner

DUNCAN — Despite the chilly weather, the 7th annual Bark in the Park Saturday in Fuqua Park was another red hot success according to its organizers.

Hundreds of pooches and their owners flooded the park as they joined in all the festivities and visited the several vendor booths. All funds raised go to the operating expenses of the Stephens County Humane Shelter.

“It covers their vet care, the building’s maintenance and helps make the animals healthier for adoption,” said Pattie Whitaker, event chair. “We are pleased with the turnout and it’s a beautiful fall day.”

Several sign-ups were available for contests including Best Pet Costume, Best Owner Look-a-Like, Best Trick, Best Bark and Longest Tail. Each contest required a fee, which helped raise funds.

A competitor in the Best Trick contest was Coby, a former Humane Society dog, with his owners Pam and Alli Spurlock.

Coby captured the audience’s attention by jumping through hoops on command.

“He learned everything really quick, it takes about a week for him to learn a trick,” said Pam.

The winners received a goodie bag of prizes.

“This is not possible without all the local businesses who donate prizes and are sponsors,” said Whitaker.

One of the biggest changes for the event this year is that it had an underwriter, which made it possible for every single penny raised to go directly to the shelter.

Kelsey Avants with Edward Jones was the Best of Show sponsor.

Additionally, some fundraisers were help prior to the event such as one at Freedom Lanes where they hosted a Bark in the Park skate-a-thon.

It raised $1,500 to put toward the $40,000 goal.

However, the main goal was to get some of the dogs adopted and a few were, such as Perry the chihuahua.

Several volunteers walked the dogs available for adoption around the park to try to catch they eye of potential owners.

“I volunteered through an organization at school,” said Allison Cox. “It’s a good way to volunteer and it’s fun.”

Friends of the Humane Society were also out in full force with their several booths. Their annual bake sale was again successful from the start of the event.

“It’s wonderful, people have been so generous with the baked goods,” said Betty Burk, president of the Friends. “The selling has been going really well.”

The funds for their bake sale, hot dogs, popcorn and cotton candy go to several causes, especially their Spay/Neuter Certificate program.

These certificates are free and can be used at any of the participating local veterinary clinics for a discounted spay or neuter of a cat or dog.

Text Only
Local News
Features
Sports
Education
Opinion
  • Despite disaster, ‘home’ causes people to stay

    If you can’t remember where you’ve placed sticky notes, they can’t serve their intended purpose of substituting for your memory. Oh, wait, I found them:

    May 25, 2013 1 Photo

  • Saving lives now a good idea

    Oklahoma lawmakers, ending the 2013 legislative session a week earlier than required, passed unanimously a bill that allocates $45 million from the state’s Rainy Day Fund to help communities recover from last week’s horrific tornado damage.

    May 25, 2013 1 Photo

Special Deals
Facebook
The Duncan Banner on Facebook
Poll

Do you think Oklahoma does enough when it comes to tornado safety education?

Yes
No
Unsure
     View Results
AP Video
Raw: Train Derails After Overpass Collapse Raw: Rescues From San Antonio Flooding Raw: French Soldier Stabbed in Throat Near Paris Mayor: Person Killed in San Antonio Flooding Raw: Apple 1 Computer Sells for More Than $650k Hagel Urges Cadets to End Scourge of Sex Assault Raw: Gay Rights Activists March in Ukraine Bus Fire Kills 16 Children, Teacher in Pakistan Raw: Pakistan Election Results Protested Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse American Held in Grisly Czech Murders Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested