First 'Barkaritaville' set for Bartlett

The first "Barkaritaville," a fundraiser for the West Suburban Humane Society, will take place on Saturday, June 6 at the Bark Avenue Daycamp, 1540 Hecht Road in Bartlett.

This dog-friendly event will allow pet owners, prospective pet adopters and all-around pet lovers to enjoy a day of food, fun and live DJ entertainment, all while raising funds for the shelter and care of unwanted and homeless dogs and cats in the six service counties of DuPage, Will, Cook, Kane, Kendall, Lake and McHenry.

Partnering with the Bark Avenue Daycamp, the West Suburban Humane Society plans to raise funds through live and silent auctions, raffles and contests for dogs as well as kids.

The kid contests will include a Flamingo Ring Toss, Limbo and Pick-a-Pop. All kids can participate. Each contest will cost $1, and prizes will be awarded. Dog contests will include Best Pet Trick and Bobbing-for-Hot-Dogs. There is no cost for dogs to enter the dog contests, and prizes will also be awarded.

Barkaritaville will take place at the Bark Avenue Daycamp, a 14,000-square-foot doggy day care facility, featuring indoor and outdoor play areas. The fun begins at 1 p.m. and will go until 5 p.m. Well-socialized pet owners and their dogs are encouraged to fetch their collar and leash; heel, come, sit and stay for a while.

The cost to attend Barkaritaville will be $25 per person; $10 per dog; and $15 for kids under 12. Kids, age 2 and younger, get in free. Each attendee will receive lunch which includes a pulled pork sandwich, or a vegetarian alternative, salad, chips, dessert, a drink, goody bag and lots of fun.

All proceeds from the event will go to support the West Suburban Humane Society, a volunteer based, animal welfare organization that was founded in 1972 as a lost and found referral service. This shelter now operates at full capacity with animal care and adoptions being provided to the public 6 days a week.

Founded in 1972, the West Suburban Humane Society, located at 1901 W. Ogden Ave. in Downers Grove, is dedicated to operating an animal shelter for the purpose of finding safe, permanent, compatible homes through the adoption of domestic dogs and cats. The society believes in educating the community on humane and responsible dog and cat care as a means of ending the unnecessary euthanasia of adoptable companion animals, as well as controlling pet overpopulation by spaying and neutering all animals in their care and encouraging pet owners to do the same. The society works for animal advocacy, care and education through fundraising. For more information about the West Suburban Humane Society or to donate, call (630) 960-9600 or visit www.wshs-dg.org.