09/18/2026
Humane Society of Elmore County News – 13 Sep ‘26
This coming Sunday, 20 September, starting at noon until 4 pm, is our 20th Annual Bark in the Park at Fort Toulouse in Wetumpka! We were certainly hoping for cooler weather but mamma nature may not be cooperating on that front. But we will set everyone up under the trees and in the shade as much as possible and sure hope everyone will come out to help us celebrate fun in the park with all the dogs we love.
We have 25 Vendors joining in, will have grilled burgers & hot dogs for sale as well as yummy drink and Gelato refreshments. Donations of canned sodas this week would be greatly appreciated – can drop by the Shelter Mon-Sat 8-4 and we thank you. We will be bringing about a dozen wonderful pups looking for their forever homes and our staff will be manning the always popular Pet Picasso Painting table PLUS face painting for children!
From 1:00 – 3:00 and for only $25 (which includes the registration) you can get your pet microchipped thanks to the Tuskegee College of Veterinary Medicine and Dr. Dorsey will also be happy to answer questions at ASK the VET.
At 1:45 we will start with the Blessing of the Pets and then will get started on the always popular Pup & Float Parade and Pet Contests. Pet floats are new this year and looking forward to seeing what everyone comes up with. We are talking small floats like Red Rider/Radio Flyer Wagon types or doggy strollers or whatever else strikes your imagination to show off your pet. There will be great Pet Contest prizes for the following categories: Largest Dog, Smallest Dog, Best Pet Costume, Owner-Pet Look-a-Like, Judges Choice and Best Float.
Under the Pavilion we will be selling tickets ($1/ticket or $5/6 tickets) for our SEVEN fantastic and huge Baskets: Dog Basket, Cat Basket, W**e Basket (must be 21 to purchase ticket), Coffee Basket, Thrift Store Basket, AL Football Basket and AU Football Basket. This year those baskets will be on preview at our Thrift Store the week ahead of Bark in the Park AND you can purchase tickets there as well. We will draw all the winning tickets at 3:30 at Bark in the Park but don’t worry - new this year is that you do NOT have to be present to win as winners can also pick up their basket at the Thrift Store the following week.
Our 2026 Bark in the Park T-Shirt ($20) will be available at the Pavilion and we are grateful to have so many repeat sponsors and some additional ones this year as well.
We were informed that the restroom building at Ft. Toulouse is out of commission, but they will have four Porta-Potties ready and available for our crowd.
Admission to Bark in the Park is $5/person 13 years old and older. ALL dogs coming to Bark in the Park must be good in public, meaning good around children, adults and other dogs in a very busy situation, AND they must have a current rabies tag/proof of rabies vaccination to come to the Park.
While we sure hope not, we do have Sunday, 27 September as a rain date.
