Are you and your canine friends ready to Bark in the Park?

Our annual Bark In The Park will be this Saturday, at the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians from 11 to 2. Admission is $4 per person and $1 for children under 6.

Dogs will have the opportunity to compete in the following contests: Cutest Puppy (limited to puppies 6 weeks to 4 months old), Most Handsome, Most Beautiful, Most Talented, Best Owner Look Alike, Best Costume, Best Smile and Best Tail Wag.

Dogs that have been adopted from our local shelter can also compete in the Mr. NACHS or Miss NACHS competition. There will be T-shirts and refreshments for sale, as well. We ask that all four-legged participants be well mannered around others and that they are leashed during this event.

Special thanks to our wonderful sponsors who make this event possible: Grand Village of the Natchez Indians, KFNV 107.1 the River/104.7 The Gator, The Natchez Democrat, The Markets, Natchez Coca Cola, Thorpe Sheet Metal, Byron’s Discount Drugs, Co-Lin Natchez, Edgin Construction, Good Hope Timber, Kentwood Spring Water, Krewe of Phoenix, Live Oak Nursery, Paul Green and Associates, Stephens and Hobdy Insurance, Natchez Community Hospital, Trace City Toyota, and Ronnie’s Knock You Out the Door Seasoning.

We are also excited to announce a new fall event, the Blessing of the Animals, which will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4 at Grace United Methodist Church.

The Rev. Darian Duckworth will preside over this special service. Animals may be brought in carriers or on leashes to the event. If your pet cannot travel to the blessing or if your pet does not socialize well with others, please come yourself and bring a photo of your pet or pets. Our special thanks to Grace UMC and Rev. Duckworth for hosting this unique event.

The Natchez-Adams County Humane Society has lots of other events coming up before the end of the year. If you are one of our Humane Society members you received The Scoop newsletter in June with our calendar of events.

If you are not on our mailing list, please send your contact information and annual membership fee of $15 for individuals or $20 for a couple to P.O. Box 549 Natchez, MS 39121, and you will begin receiving our newsletter with information about all of our events throughout the year.

Every day is a struggle to provide a temporary home and care for the hundreds of animals that are dropped off at a shelter that is rapidly deteriorating. Food costs, utilities, medical care and labor costs all continue to rise.

Without the help of our many supporters, there would be no place for these animals. Thanks to everyone who has contributed to the support of the animals at the shelter. Together, we can continue to make a difference in the lives of these animals that didn’t ask to come into this world, but they are here and are our responsibility.

We have great hope that a new shelter will be built in the near future. We still need the help of all in our community who love animals to make that hope a reality. Donations to the NACHS Building Fund can be sent to PO Box 322 Natchez 39121.

We hope to see you at Bark in the Park!

Susan Mingee is a Natchez-Adams County Humane Society board member.