Talbot Humane’s first photo calendar contest, Petparazzi, offers pet lovers the opportunity to enter their dogs, cats, or other small companion animals in a photo competition while raising funds for the shelter’s animal care and community outreach services.

Penny Pyewacket, a Talbot Humane alumnus and Petparazzi contestant.

The photo contest opened for entries July 1 and remains open until the contest ends on August 16. Entrants promote their pet by email and social media, urging their family, friends, and co-workers to vote for their pet on the contest website. One dollar equals one vote; each of the top five dogs and cats, and top two “other” animals who receive the most votes in their respective categories at the end of the contest will be featured as a Pet of the Month in the 2020 Talbot Humane Petparazzi Calendar. The pet who raises the most funds overall in the voting will also appear on the cover of the calendar. The entry fee of $25 is considered a tax-deductible donation to Talbot Humane and includes a copy of the 2020 calendar with each entry, a $15 value. Pets entered in the contest are not limited to Talbot Humane alumni, or even to Talbot County; all pets are welcome!

The shelter’s fundraising goal for the 2020 Talbot Humane Petparazzi Calendar contest is $10,000.  All funds raised will be used to help animals in need in our community. For more information, or to enter your pet in the contest, visit www.gogophotocontest.com/talbothumane

Come Saturday, October 13, rain or shine, dogs and those who love them will get to celebrate one of the most indelible bonds on the planet. All in support of Talbot Humane. People and their beloved pets—and those who just want to bask in the good time—will transform Easton’s Idlewild Park into a fairground of family fun With all the sniffing, playing, prancing, shopping, snacking, spontaneous conversations,and special events going on, it will be hard to tell who is having the better time, doggies or those who proudly delight in them every day. Bark in the Park is a wide world of dogs, from fit-in-your-palm Pomeranians to statuesque Great Danes, mixed-breed cuties to loads of labs.

This will be the 9^th annual Bark in the Park. Over the past eight years, the event has brought in more than $320,000. This year’s goal is $35,000. Talbot Humane gratefully acknowledges that generous support from community businesses and individuals is already well underway for this year’s event. Major sponsors thus far include Doc’s Downtown Grill and Sunset Grill, Easton Utilities, Hair O’ The Dog, Kevertin Pet Resort, M&T Bank, the Star Democrat, and radio station WCEI, which will again offer a live feed from the park on October 13. Hands-on help from a wealth of volunteers also is a hallmark of the festivities.

Bark in the Park officially runs from 9 a.m. until noon, with on-site registration starting at 7:15. Fact is, though, there’s a special pre-event happening that always draws avid participants who want to start the day in an active way: the Family Fun 5k timed walk/run with raffle gift card prizes for winners—fastest female and male. Plus everyone who takes to the trail (starting and ending at the park) gets a gift bag. Sponsoring the 5K is TriCycle & Run. Those who go to talbothumane.org before October 13 can register in advance for $25. This registration protocol holds for the contribution-linked Dogwalk ($25), Fun Dog Show ($10), and Costume Contest ($10).

At Bark in the Park, pets are safest on nonretractable leashes and must be at least eight weeks of age to participate.

After the nine a.m. Blessing of the Animals by a local member of the clergy, is the Dogwalk through historic Easton—where dogs and their owners get to strut their stuff.

Just prior to the Dog Show is the volunteer-led Pawrade of Adoptable Dogs from regional animal shelters and rescues. It’s a great chance for attendees to consider making homeless dogs a part of their families. (More than 1,150 animals come through Talbot Humane’s doors every year—and that includes dogs as well as cats, rabbits, birds, and others.) Hair O’ The Dog is again stepping up to the plate to sponsor this popular event.

The Dog Show boasts ten categories, with several new this year, including Most Dog Kisses in 30 Seconds, For a full roster of Dog Show competition categories, go to the shelter website, talbothumane.org, and pull down the Bark in the Park tab.

Some of the day’s grandest grins are prompted by dressed-up dogs. Talbot Humane Executive Director Patty Crankshaw-Quimby, a huge fan of this festival facet, looks forward to people coming out and giving it their all at the Costume Competition. This year, instead of rolling the costume segment into the Dog Show, we’re having a special stand-alone event for this great crowd-pleaser. It’s Early Halloween for the four-leggeds. (Swimsuits allowed for doggie competitors.) For more details: talbothumane.org.

Among the day’s other pleasures and festivities is a Doggie Spa sponsored by Kevertin Pet Resort: On tap, for a contribution to the shelter, are brushing (of coats and teeth!) and nail trimming.

Kids will get to choose among cool activities sprinkled throughout the fairground, and a fun variety of vendors will set up shop, offering dog toys and accessories, jewelry (for people), coffee, food, and more.

Returning this year is Fastest Recall, where pets will be timed as they make retrieves.

Talbot Humane honors local veterinarians for their ongoing involvement with the shelter. They generously give countless hours and services to the animals in our care. (Talbot Humane accepts all animals, even those with pressing health needs.) Several vets will be at Bark in the Park to share expertise in mini-workshops on parasite prevention, nutrition, and other timely topics.

Pet owners can also take advantage of on-the-spot micro-chipping. It’s reassuring to know that the owner of any lost micro-chipped dog that shows up at a shelter can be contacted—and reunited—as long as contact information is up to date.

Underscoring the community aspect of Bark in the Park, local shelters, rescues, and other organizations will showcase their efforts and fill folks in on their missions and volunteer opportunities.

Festival fun and fellowship add up to a memorable day, no question, but it is Talbot Humane’s mission in support of the animals that takes the Bark in the Park spotlight. Right now, close to 200 animals are in Talbot Humane’s care, waiting to “go home.”

Talbot Humane Executive Director Patty Crankshaw-Quimby invites you to “Bring your dogs and the kids to Idlewild Park on October 13. Enjoy yourselves as you show your support for all we do for the animals of the Midshore.”

If you can believe it, we are in the 8^th year of Talbot Humane’s Bark in the Park. The years have brought a great deal of fun and fellowship to the community and raised more than $350,000 to support the animals and services of Talbot Humane!   The free family festival takes place rain or shine on Saturday, October 14^th from 8AM-noon at Idlewild Park in Easton.

Bark in the Park starts early for runners and walkers who can enter our dog-friendly UNLEASHED 5K timed fun run/walk.   The Annual Homecoming Pawrade (dog walk) Sponsored by Hair O The Dog kicks off at 9A.  The Fun Dog Show returns for the 8^th year with competitions in ten categories and Best in Show.  Registration fees apply for the 5K, Dog Walk, and Dog Show. The Dog Walk is preceded by the national anthem, moment of howl, and blessing of the animals.  Registration for all 3 events opens at 7:15A.  Preregistration is available until October 12^th at www.talbothumane.org .

The day’s fun includes The Doggie Spa sponsored by Kevertin Pet Resort- have your dog’s nails, teeth and coat spruced up while enjoying the day!   The Bark in the Park Boutique presented by St. Michaels Pet Supplies has the must have items for every pet lover.  Local nonprofit organizations, artisans and local business vendors are signing up daily to attend this year’s festivities.   We are looking forward to honoring our local veterinary heroes who give countless hours and services to the animals in our care each year.  Included this year are the Doggie Kissing Booth, Live music, local food vendors, and a kid’s corner sponsored by Talbot Humane’s youth group Humane Hands which will include face painting and crafts.

With all the festival fun, Talbot Humane’s mission in support of the animals is still the primary focus of Bark in the Park. Local veterinarians conduct mini-workshops on pet care topics. Area shelters and rescue organizations will once again present a PAWrade of Adoptable Dogs to encourage visitors to make one of these homeless pups a part of their family.

Talbot Humane has close to 200 animals in its care waiting for adoption. To support the expense for the care of these animals, Talbot Humane has goal of $50,000 for this year’s Bark in the Park fundraiser.

Sponsors play an important role in community events. Talbot Humane’s team wishes to thank businesses and organizations that are supporting Bark in the Park and Talbot Humane this year. Hair O’ The Dog, Easton Utilities, Kevertin Pet Resort and WCEI are this year’s major sponsors with others currently committed including The Star Democrat, TriCycle and Run, Chris Wilke, Foxy’s Harbor Grille, Doc’s Downtown and Sunset Grilles and Preston Auto Group among others.

Ultimately, however, Patty Crankshaw-Quimby, Talbot Humane’s executive director emphasizes that it is the families who come out and enjoy Bark in the Park and all it has to offer who make the event a success for Talbot Humane, the animals, and the community. “This is such a fun event for the whole family,” she said. “Bring the dog and the kids, and come out and show your support for all we do for the animals of the Midshore.”