Talbot Humane’s third annual Bark in the Park family festival will feature even more activities for people and pets as it continues to grow in popularity as a community event. The free festival takes place on Saturday, October 20th, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Idlewild Park in Easton.

New this year, Annapolis Volvo is sponsoring a 10K run and a 5K fun run/walk for human participants, starting at 9 and 9:15 a.m., respectively, from Easton Middle School, one block from Idlewild Park. Registration for the races opens there at 8 a.m.

The Dog Walk returns for the canines, along with the Fun Dog Show, which allows owners an opportunity to match their dogs against others in ten categories including talent, looks, size and costumes. L.P. Palmer and his Yorkshire Terrier, Jake, won both Best Look Alike and Best in Show at last year’s Bark in the Park Dog Show.

Registration fees apply for the runs, Dog Walk and Dog Show, with registration available in advance through the Talbot Humane website, www.talbothumane.org. Registration for the 10K and 5K also is available through Active.com.

Those who just want to enjoy a day of dog-watching can bring the entire family out for this community festival focused on Talbot Humane’s mission of caring for the animals of Talbot County. A PAWrade of Adoptable Dogs will give visitors a good look at dogs available for adoption from a number of participating area shelters and rescue organizations. Local veterinarians conduct mini-workshops on selected pet-care topics, with vendors offering a variety of pet-related products.

Agility Dogs and the Easton Police K-9 Unit provide scheduled demonstrations during the event. With horse-drawn carriage rides, food, music and special activities for kids, Bark in the Park offers fun the whole family.

Sponsors still are being recruited to help make this year’s festival even more successful as Talbot Humane’s major fundraising event of the year. WCEI is a top sponsor, with others currently committed including Big Dogs, C. Albert Matthews, Easton Elks #1622, Easton Utilities Commission, Foxy’s Harbor Grill, Gone for a Run, Hertrich Chevrolet, M&T Bank, Oxford Lawn & Landscape, PetSmart, Pierson’s Comfort Group, Preston Automotive Group, Provident State Bank, Queenstown Bank, Salisbury Gift & Garden, What’s Up? Media and the YMCA.

Individual donors also are welcome. Volunteer fundraisers may compete online to see who can gather the most support for the animals through a link on Talbot Humane’s website or directly through Active.com. Last year, Charlie Petosa and Charles Riter earned Highest Youth Fundraiser and Highest Adult Fundraiser honors, respectively. Top fundraisers can win prizes including a one-week stay at a Florida condominium, a NOOK reader with Barnes & Noble gift card, and a $100 gift certificate to a local restaurant.

Bark in the Park’s 2012 goal is to raise $50,000 for Talbot Humane. The shelter has seen an 18-percent increase in the number of animals in its care over the past twelve months and has more than 200 animals now waiting for adoption. With the associated increase in expense for that care, Executive Director Patty Crankshaw-Quimby emphasizes that the need for community support for Bark in the Park is greater than ever.

“We deeply appreciate the help that businesses and members of the community provided to Bark in the Park last year,” she said. “Please support the animals once again with your contributions, then come out and have some fun with us in October.”

For more information, to make a contribution, or to volunteer, call Talbot Humane at 410-822-0107 or visit www.talbothumane.org.

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Boomer is a 4 year old, black and brown, neutered, Australian Shepherd mix. He was surrendered to Talbot Humane on 8/4/12, because his owner had no time for him.

Hello, my name is Boomer. I’m giving my best smile in my photo, but I’m really feeling very sad. You see I once had a home, but lost it through no fault of my own. Now I sit in my kennel hoping someone will come along and fall in love with me and give me another chance…this time forever. I’m quite handsome, smart and sweet. I always do my business as soon as I’m let out of my kennel, so that means I’m probably house-trained. I’m very well-behaved on the leash and enjoy a nice walk. I lived with another dog in my previous home so I enjoy canine companionship. Everyone here at the shelter makes sure I have the best of care and the volunteers make sure I get outside everyday, but that’s just not the same as having a home of my own where I’ll be a special member of the family. Do you think you could help me put the spring back in my step? I promise with your help I’ll be a wonderful addition to your family.

All cats and dogs have been micro-chipped, received all required shots, and have been spayed or neutered. All they need is a loving, forever home.

Talbot Humane
7894 Ocean Gateway
Easton, MD 21601
410-822-0107

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Maxene is a 2 year old, tortoise colored, spayed, domestic short-haired cat. She was found as a stray and brought to Talbot Humane on 6/29/12.

All cats have been micro-chipped, temperament tested, FeLV/FIV tested, received all required shots, and have been spayed or neutered. All they need is a loving, forever home.

Talbot Humane
7894 Ocean Gateway
Easton, MD 21601
410-822-0107

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Thelma is a 4 month old, black and brindle, spayed, German Shepherd mix. She was transferred to Talbot Humane on 5/5/12 from another shelter.

Have you heard the news that there’s been a puppy explosion at Talbot Humane?  Well, everything you’ve heard is true!  A whole bunch of us lucky dogs were loaded in a van down in Georgia where the prospects for adoption aren’t good and brought all the way to Easton so we could have a good chance at forever homes.  However, when we were checked out by the vet, it was found that one of us was very sick, so all of us had to be put in quarantine to be sure the rest of us were o.k.  I’m very happy to report that we’re all healthy now and ready to go.  Now we’re all waiting for that special person to choose one of us to take home with them.  We’re each a little different, so you need to come on down to the shelter and decide who you want to make a member of your family.  We’re all still babies, so a good training class will help us to grow into the best dogs ever.  And while I agree that Talbot Humane is a wonderful place, the most wonderful place of all is a furever home.  Can you help me put a happy ending at the end of my journey?

If you’re considering adopting a puppy, some  things to keep in mind are that they need to be house-trained; they are very high energy and need lots of exercise; they jump up with enthusiasm; they nip; and they will chew up anything they can get ahold of.  All of these behaviors can be corrected with patience and training, but if you have small children who may be frightened by the jumping and nipping, or you don’t have the time for training, you may want to consider an older dog.

Talbot Humane
7894 Ocean Gateway
Easton, MD 21601
410-822-0107
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