The second annual Connecticut Humane Society's fall fundraising fair takes place Saturday, Oct. 17, from noon to 4 p.m., (rain date, Sunday, Oct. 18), at the Society's campus at 701 Russell Road, Newington.
"If it looks like rain Saturday, we will make the final call Friday on whether it will be postponed and post it on the events page of our Web site," said Alicia Wright, Humane Society public relations director.
Last year's Barktoberfest was well attended and this year's event is even bigger, she said. New this year is food, provided by Corey's Catsup & Mustard Burger Bar in Manchester, which is also a sponsor of the event.
Perhaps the highlight of the fair is that it is also an adoption event, in connection with national Adopt-A-Dog Month, Wright noted.
People can bring their own dog, find a dog or other pet their dog gets along with and move to adopt, she said. "If everything lines up, they may be able to adopt on the spot." If the Society needs some more information, people can come back the next day to finalize the adoption, she added.
Barktoberfest is free, with suggested donations for some of the activities, she said. There's a haunted trail that's $5 per person (kids under age five are free) and pet photo portraits are also $5.
Wright said that other vendors at the event have made donations to the Society up front and will be charging for their services. On hand will be vendors offering pet sitting services, dog and cat clothing, cider and doughnuts, new and gently used pet supply items, pet-related Christmas ornaments and wood carvings, and more. There will also be a costume contest for pets or pets and their owners, with prizes for Scariest, Most Original, Funniest, Best Pet/Owner Team, plus a pumpkin contest for people bringing in their own carved or painted creations.
The National Guard will give canine demonstrations, and special guest morning DJ Cory Myers from Country 92.5 will be judging the costume and pumpkin contests.
Pet adoptions at Barktoberfest will include:
* New Benefits: Free microchip and free 30-day policy of pet health insurance.
* Preliminary inoculations, including rabies, for pets over three months old.
* Heartworm testing for dogs, FELV and FIV testing for cats.
* Flea treatment and deworming.
* Certificate for spay/neuter valid at the Humane Society's Fox Memorial Clinic in Newington.
* Identification tags and rabies tag if applicable.
* Collar and leash for dogs, cardboard carrier for cats.
* Starter supply of food (Hill's Science Diet).
* Pet care information.
* All dogs five months or older are temperament-tested for adoption suitability.
* Behavioral support for dogs and their new families.
* Discounted rate available on obedience classes for all dogs.
For more information, call (800) 452-0114 or visit www.cthumane.org.