5K Community Dog Walk And Bark In The Park On Saturday, May 11
Photo Submitted
Sage is one of the dogs who will be up for adoption at Bark on the Park, which happens Saturday, May 11, at Old Fort Harrod State Park.
Robert Moore
Herald Staff
[email protected]
Critters Without Litters is hosting two events this weekend. On Saturday, May 11, they will host the 5K Community Dog Walk at Anderson-Dean Community Park from 8 to 10 a.m. and the Bark in the Park at Old Fort Harrod State Park from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Both events are fund-raisers for Critters Without Litters, a nonprofit agency that has been providing low-cost spay and neuter services in Mercer County since 1989.
“There’s plenty to do,” said Joy Wolcott, who serves on the Critters Without Litters board of directors.
The 5K Community Dog Walk at Anderson-Dean is open to all friendly dogs. Wolcott said it isn’t a race since not all dogs like to race, but feel free to go at whatever pace is good for your pup. The cost to participate is $20 or $35 including the shirt.
Bark in the Park at Old Fort Harrod State Park is billed as Harrodsburg’s biggest dog party. Wolcott said they have more than 20 vendors and at least three food trucks lined up, in addition to live music by Jeremy Zeller from 5 to 7 p.m. Dog adoptions start at 11 a.m., and the dog contest starts on the main stage at noon with categories including best name, biggest and smallest, best dressed, waggiest tail and the ugliest. Visit their booth for $25 microchips.
Critters Without Litters also has a full slate of sponsors for this year’s Bark in the Park, including Walmart, Harrods Perk and Chill, Feeders Pet Supply and Lee’s Famous Recipe.
It’s been estimated that Critters Without Litters has fixed more than 17,000 over the years, helping Mercer County control the population of unwanted animals.
Having pets spayed or neutered can prevent both behavioral and health problems, including prostatic disease, hernias and testicular cancer in males, and cancers of the breast, uterine and ovaries in females, according to the Colwill Lab at Brown University.
The impact goes beyond the animals being spayed or neutered. Outdoor domestic cats have contributed to the extinction of 63 species of birds, mammals, and reptiles in the wild and continue to adversely impact a wide variety of other species, according to the American Bird Conservancy.
Critters Without Litters is a nonprofit organization that receives no government funding except grants. They are reliant on fundraisers and donations to stay open. They say all money goes to the clinic and paying a veterinarian, vet tech and director, as well as supply and utilities.
Bark in the Park Schedule
• 9 a.m. Bark in the Park at Fort Harrod starts
• 11 a.m. Adoptable dogs introductions
•Noon. Dog Contest
• 2–4 p.m. Open mic
• 5–7 p.m. Live music by Jeremy Zeller
• 8 p.m. Ends
All events on Saturday, May 11:
• Critters Without Litters 5K Community Dog Walk at Anderson-Dean Community Park (1501 Louisville Road). All friendly dogs welcome. This isn’t a race since not all dogs like to race, but feel free to go at whatever pace is good for your pup. Cost: $20, $35 includes shirt. Starts 8 to 10 a.m.
• Critters Without Litters Bark in the Park at Old Fort Harrod State Park (1501 Louisville Road). Harrodsburg’s biggest dog party with more than 20 vendors, at least three food trucks and live music by Jeremy Zeller from 5 to 7 p.m. Dog adoptions start 11 a.m., dog contest starts at noon. Free to the public, all friendly dogs are welcome. 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Contact Critters Without Litters by calling 859-734-0199 or [email protected] or critterswithoutlittersky.com or Facebook @Critters Without Litters.
