Oct. 15, 2004 – It's time once again for St. Thomas dog owners to brush up on their pet tricks and dig the doggy costumes out of the closet because Sunday marks the third annual Humane Society of St. Thomas Barktoberfest.
This barkalacious event has become a favorite among island canines who get to spend a sun-and-fun-filled day competing with each other in a variety of categories, including most obedient, best costume and best trick.
And this year's event promises an even greater thrill for man's best friends because Bolongo Bay Beach Club owner Paul Doumeng, known for his no-dogs-allowed policy, has agreed, for one day only, to let Bolongo go to the dogs.
One of the event's main organizers, Humane Society board member Cara Jo Hinton, explained that for the past two years the event has been held Latitude 18. "But with Latitude closed down, we had to find somewhere else. I contacted Paul and he embraced the idea immediately," she said, adding, "we couldn't have done it without his support."
Last year Hinton said the event drew "between 300 and 400 participants," garnered 100 new members for the society and raised $5,000. All of the proceeds went toward the society's Paws to Care Capital Campaign for the construction of a new Animal Care Campus.
The proposed campus will be a state-of-the-art shelter where the island's abandoned and homeless animals will be able to heal, rest and play while they await permanent homes, according to Joseph Aubain, board president. The planned animal center will replace the current Nadir-area shelter, and will be located along Weymouth-Rhymer Highway on Estate Hoffman across from the Cost-U-Less.
Hinton said Barktoberfest has grown more successful year by year and hopes this year brings in as much as $10,000. She said she hopes to see the number of new memberships climb as well. St. Thomas businessman and philanthropist Randy Knight has challenged the Humane Society to reach 1,000 members by the end of the year, in exchange for which he has promised to donate $500,000 toward the new campus. Hinton said they still need 300 members to reach this goal.
While entering your dog in a contest will cost you $15, admission is free for everyone, and, if the tradition of Barktoberfests of years past carries on, the day promises to be fun and rewarding for everyone – especially the four-legged attendees.
This year's event is being touted as a local celebration of Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month, a joint venture between the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Iams Dog Foods and the St. Thomas Humane Society. The theme of this year's Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month is "Sit. Stay. Love…Adopt a Shelter Dog," which, according to a society release, "highlights the importance of training a newly adopted shelter dog to ensure a lasting bond between owner and pet."
Hinton also wanted people to know that Barktoberfest has become an official annual outing for the Humane Society to be held the third Sunday in October from now on. For more information, or to lend your support, contact Hinton at 690-2849.
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