HERE - the Santa Fe Animal Shelter and Humane Society

Howling it up at the
Barkin’ Ball
Santa Fe Animal Shelter’s annual
fundraiser helps animals all year long
Hundreds of people and their
better canine halves enjoyed
an old-style country fair
in October at the Santa Fe
Animal Shelter’s annual
Barkin’ Ball.
The festive tradition was reimagined as
a country fair, offering a fun-filled experience
with carnival games, food booths and a
general store. The Oct. 6 event also featured
the usual favorites, such as the Pet Parade, a
silent auction and great music by the female
trio Buckarettes.
Bill Hutchison, a former Shelter employee
now living in Chicago, moderated the
Pet Parade, offering special insights to the
canine celebrities, many of whom took to
the stage in festive bangles, scarves and even
cowboy hats. Bill said he was happy to be
among his old friends at the Shelter, especially
the four-footed pals he’s watched mature
during each ball.
“The Barkin’ Ball has always been one
of the highlights of the year,” Bill said. “It’s
a time to reconnect with canines and people
alike and simply celebrate the Shelter’s
successes.”
The casual county fair theme helped
people get back to the basics of the annual
event: a community celebration, said Mary
Martin, the shelter’s executive director.
“If it weren’t for the community support,
our programs wouldn’t be nearly as
successful as they have been,” Mary said.
“Events like this remind us of just how
wonderful our community is and the importance
everyone here places on making
Santa Fe a great place for pets, no matter
what their circumstances.”
It’s only fitting that the Barkin’ Ball
allows people to party with their pets, she
added. “I love that people have an opportunity
to socialize with other pet-loving
individuals as well as have their own pets
with them,” she said. “We’ve worked hard to
make this a wonderful happening, but most
importantly, the Barkin’ Ball is critical to the
Shelter and its ability to make a difference
for pets and the people who love them.”
Along with the special diversions that
make a great event unique, this year’s ball
also included games, a caricature artist,
jugglers and a photo booth. The Country
Store offered people an opportunity to buy
treasures without having to bid on them,
while the silent auction let people unleash
their competitive spirit.
Volunteers and staff are already meeting
to organize next year’s Ball, tentatively
scheduled for mid-October. It may take the
form of an evening gala, with an enhanced
silent auction that will include unique treasures,
exquisite get-aways and one-of-a-kind
gift certificates. Stay tuned!
18 | Animal TRACKS
If you’re interested in sponsoring
a table or off-setting the costs of any
aspect of the 2013 Barkin’ Ball, or would
like to donate an item or service, please
contact our Donor Relations Office at
983-4309 ext. 204.