Its Time to Bark!

Anti-Cruelty Society hosts its 20

th
Annual Fundraiser
By: Gina Cetrone

Otis is a pit bull that lives outside. His owners are too busy to take care of him, so they keep
him in the backyard to fend for himself. The blistering sun leaves Otis severely dehydrated,
panting and crawling around in search of water. He is fed only once a day out of a dirty
water bowl. His ribs are protruding from starvation. A pronged collar breaks his flesh
leaving deep wounds.
Otiss story is just one instance of animal abuse that occurs in Chicago. Chicago alone
receives more than 70,000 calls a year regarding animal abuse. About 65% of these animal
abuse incidents involve dogs. Our staff at Chicagos Anti-Cruelty Society (ACS) works
tirelessly to educate the community about animal issues owning, caring for, respecting
animals as well as rescuing animals like Otis who experience neglect or abuse.
ACS is Chicagos largest private, non-profit humane society, accommodating 12,000 animals
a year. To help combat animal abuse and keep our organization running, we host our
annual 5K fundraiser, Bark in the Park. This May marks the 20
th
annual Bark in the Park
which will bring in more than 5,000 dogs and owners from the Chicagoland area.
This 3.2 mile trail loops around Montrose Harbor, offering a beautiful view of Lake
Michigan and plenty of space for dog-friendly activities. For 20 years now, pups and their
owners have enjoyed exercising in the warm weather to save animals in several areas
throughout the Chicagoland.
We host several fundraisers a year, but Bark in the Park remains the largest and most
successful fundraiser to date. Last years Bark in the Park brought in over $10,000.
Guy Smith, our cat ambassador and social media monitor, has been working with the ACS
for 10 years now. This is his eighth time participating in Bark in the Park.
Even if you dont have a canine friend at home, you can still walk. Even if you have a cat,
you should walk on behalf of them and support the cause, Smith says.

Where is your money going? (http://www.barkinthepark.org/corporate.html)
Adoption pet fees
Low or no-cost spay/neuter surgeries
Cruelty investigation and rescue
Dog training classes
Free behavior hotline
Humane education (including our Veterinary Mentoring program in partnership
with the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine)
Charity veterinary clinics
Pet visits to nursing homes and hospitals
Pet first aid classes
Animal-related seminars

Fundraising
Vice President of Development and Public Relations Nadine Walmsley says, Every little bit
that we receive goes towards keeping our doors open 365 days a year, seven days a week.
Giving a little goes a long way.
Here is a breakdown of the costs (http://www.barkinthepark.org/info.html):
$50-$99
Provides roughly 70 lbs. of food for the animals for 2 weeks
$100-$299
Provides one week of shelter care for 4 animals
$300-$499
Provides rabies vaccines for 100 animals
$500-$999
Provides one week of cruelty investigations
$1000-$2,499
Provides spaying or neutering for 50-100 animals

Event Details
When: The event kicks off Saturday, May 3 at the Montrose Harbor. Registration takes
place from 7 to 10 a.m. at the marked red tents set up by the lakeshore. The event will
conclude at 12 p.m.
Who: Runners will begin at 9 a.m. Only humans may participate in the running portion.
Everyone including dogs is invited to walk the 5K which begins at 9:15 a.m.
Prices: The entry fee is $35 in advance, $40 the day of the event and $15 for children 12
and under.
Extra fun: Participants can enjoy dog agility courses, pet massages, a nail clipping spa,
souvenir photo booths, free product samples from sponsors, food, raffles and more.
For more information, please contact the ACS Events Office at (312) 645-8006 or
events@anticruelty.org.