TAMPA - If you’re reading this before noon today, there’s still a chance you can join in the Humane Society of Tampa Bay’s 20th annual Bark in the Park.

The event typically draws hundreds of pets and people to Al Lopez Park, 4810 N. Himes Ave., to raise money to benefit the Humane Society of Tampa Bay. It also provides a forum for pets and their owners to socialize. This year’s event runs from 8:30 a.m. until noon.

The fundraiser is crucial to the Humane Society of Tampa Bay’s operations. Unlike the county’s Animal Services, the humane society receives no taxpayer support. It relies entirely on private donations.

“We have high hopes that this will be a record year for dollars raised at the walk,” says Cathy Bellatin, special events coordinator.

Money raised today will provide food, shelter and medical care for the pets at the humane society until new, permanent homes can be found for them.

The prospects look good for a successful event, says Linda Baker, the humane society’s executive director.

“We’re so pleased that on this big anniversary, our walk will be bigger than ever,” Baker says. “We have twice the number of teams [walking to raise money] and vendors as last year.”

Scheduled activities include dog washing, tail painting, arts and crafts, flyball and disc demonstrations. Dozens of vendors will be selling pet-related goods.

If you arrive at the park by 8:30 a.m., you’ll be treated to a free breakfast from Krispy Kreme and Sweet Tomatoes.

Round Up A Pack Or Come Alone
Participants may walk individually or as a “pack.” Packs are encouraged because of their potential to raise more dollars - and it’s a fun group activity.

A pack consists of five to 10 members, typically a group of pet-loving neighbors, friends, family or co-workers. Each member must collect a minimum of $45. Packs are entitled to special benefits including official T-shirts, pack photo, signage and a mention in the humane society’s quarterly newsletter.

A veteran pack, the “PAR-ty” Animals,” is confident it will win the prize for the most money raised in today’s event.

If it does, it’ll be the sixth year in a row that the members have captured that honor.

Results will be tabulated today.

“We won’t reveal how much we’ve collected yet,” says Donna Drackett, chief financial officer of Psychological Assessment Resources in Lutz.

“We’d love for someone to challenge us because it would just mean more money for the humane society.”

Drackett has coordinated the corporate pack for Bark in the Park for as far back as she can recall.

“It’s a cause near and dear to a number of employees’ hearts,” she says. “It’s not hard to get people to contribute when they know it is for the animals at the humane society.”

Individual walkers are welcome, too. A minimum of $45 is required to register.

The registration fee allows your pet to participate in a variety of contests, including best costume, silly pet tricks and owner-pet look-alike. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third places.

Humane Society Has Many Programs
Transitioning to a “no-kill for space” shelter in 2004, the humane society no longer euthanizes cats or dogs to make room for other cats and dogs.

It no longer accepts strays. Owners wishing to relinquish a pet must make an appointment, and only adoptable dogs and cats are accepted.

Beyond providing shelter, food and medical care for thousands of adoptable pets, the humane society operates an adoption program and a low-cost spay-neuter clinic.

It also has a behavior help line, mobile adoptions and a community outreach program. And it coordinates “Animeals,” delivering quality pet food for animals of homebound Hillsborough County citizens.

Bark in the Park sponsors help cover event costs, so more of the money generated by the fundraiser can be spent to help animals.

Among this year’s sponsors are the city of Tampa’s parks and recreation department, Free Press, Sweet Tomatoes, WWRM, 94.9 FM, and The Tampa Tribune.

If you miss the event today and still want to help, you can make a tax-deductible contribution to the Humane Society of Tampa Bay by mailing a check to the society at 3607 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa FL 33607-1322. Go to www .humanesocietytampa.org or call (813) 876-4150 for information.

CRITTER CALENDAR
Festival’s Auction To Benefit Animals

Enjoy food from local restaurants and sample various wines at the Art, Wine & Food Fest from 7 to 9 p.m. March 31 at the Raymond James International Art Private Collection, 880 Carillon Parkway, St. Petersburg. The event also features a chance to meet artists, tour a wildlife art collection and bid on auction items, including an original Peter Max portrait of you.

Auction proceeds benefit the Pinellas Animal Foundation and Creative Clay Inc. Tickets are $25 per person or $40 per couple. VIP packages are $50 per person or $80 per couple and include a champagne hour at 6 p.m., personal meet, greet and tour reception, annual membership in the foundation and a raffle ticket.

For information or to purchase tickets, call Joan Marzi at (727) 710-7387 or go to http://www.pinellas

animalfoundation.org.

Cartoons, Comedy And Compassion

Florida Voices for Animals is sponsoring a charity event at 6 p.m. April 1 at the Octagon Arts Center at the Utilitarian Universalist Church of Clearwater, 2470 Nursery Road. This will be a multimedia comedic overview featuring Dan Piraro, creator of the award-winning syndicated newspaper cartoon “Bizarro.”

Tickets are $6.50 for general admission and $3.50 for students. For tickets and information, go to http://www.Bizarro

Artist.org or call (813) 600-6949.

BARK IN THE PARK
WHERE: Al Lopez Park, 4810 N. Himes Ave., Tampa

WHO: People and their pets are welcome. Pets must be on a leash at all times and should be wearing county license and identification tags, have current vaccinations (rabies, distemper, parvo) and be spayed or neutered.

WHEN: Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. The 1-mile walk begins at 10 a.m., and pet contests start at 11 a.m. Demonstrations, vendors and entertainment will be offered all morning. The event ends at noon.

Pet-lifestyle expert Kristen Levine can be reached at Fetching Communications, P.O. Box 222, Tarpon Springs FL 34688; e-mail at ; or fax at (727) 934-6451.