Barktoberfest Has Gone to the Dogs

By Mary Donovan McClellan

Mark your calendars for October 18, and get ready for a day of furry fun at Seville Square and Fountain Park at the 24th Annual Barktoberfest benefiting the Pensacola Humane Society (PHS).

Barktoberfest will take place from 10 am to 4 pm, bringing together dogs, dog lovers and animal advocates for a tailwagging celebration that has become a beloved Gulf Coast tradition. Best of all, there is no cost to attend this annual familyfriendly event, making it easy for everyone to join in the fun.

Barktoberfest isn’t just a party, it's a lifeline for abandoned and neglected animals. Every dollar raised through this event helps provide critical medical care, safe shelter, and the promise of brighter futures for pets in need. The celebration blends fun, community spirit, and compassion, all the while making it a day with a purpose that reaches far beyond the park.

This year’s event is proudly presented by the Pensacola Ice Flyers, returning for their third consecutive year as the event’s title sponsor. Known for giving back to the community both on and off the ice, the Ice Flyers have shown incredible commitment to helping animals in need. They join a roster of generous partners including Fishbein Orthodontics, Taylor, Warren, Weidner, Hancock & Barnes, Animal Hospital of Pensacola, Varona Paradies, Zarzaur Law, Pensacola Lighthouse Museum, Cat Country, Xtreme Logistics Gulf Coast, Ballinger Publishing, Wolfgang and many more whose sponsorships make this event possible year-after-year.

What to Expect at Barktoberfest

Get ready for a day filled with activities designed to entertain animal lovers of all ages. Throughout the day, guests can enjoy lively contests, exciting races, children’s games and pet adoption opportunities. Barktoberfest is known for its friendly competitions. Competitors can show off their furry companions and vie for Best Owner and Dog Lookalike, Best Trick and the wildly entertaining Best Dog Costume.

Children will find plenty to enjoy in the Bow Wow Backyard, a dedicated area filled with games, pup-themed activities and interactive demonstrations that are designed to entertain and educate animal lovers young and old.

Visitors can explore booths hosted by local vendors, animal welfare organizations and community partners. These booths will feature everything from pet supplies and specialty treats to information on veterinary services, training and adoption opportunities.

Whether you’re competing in a contest, browsing the vendor booths or simply soaking up the atmosphere, Barktoberfest promises a day full of joy, laughter and wagging tails.

It’s the kind of event that brings people together, celebrates the human-animal bond and raises critical funds for animals who need it most.

About Pensacola Humane Society

For over 80 years, the Pensacola Humane Society has been a beacon of hope for animals along Florida’s Gulf Coast. Founded in 1943, PHS began with a small group of passionate volunteers determined to make a difference for abandoned and neglected animals. Today, it has grown into a thriving nonprofit shelter dedicated to rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming efforts that transform lives both for animals and the people who love them.

PHS works closely with Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties Animal Shelters and animal welfare partners in Okaloosa and Walton counties. Together, these organizations form a united front to promote adoption, reduce overpopulation and improve animal welfare across the region. The partnerships allow resources, knowledge and support to be shared, ensuring that every animal receives the best possible chance at a happy, healthy life.

Adoption efforts are at the heart of PHS’s mission. In 2024, the shelter completed 826 adoptions, giving cats and dogs across the Gulf Coast a chance at loving forever homes. With 2025 already off to a strong start, the shelter expects to surpass that number this year, continuing its proud tradition of successful placements.

One of PHS’s major commitments is to its spay and neuter procedures, a number that has exceeded 1,500 since May 2024. Among those surgeries are those provided for Everett Animal Welfare Tag-Neuter-Return Program which humanely manages community cat populations. This program alone has made a significant impact on controlling the number of free-roaming cats in the area, improving the health of the animals while preventing future suffering.

The shelter maintains its No-Kill Shelter status with a 2024 save rate of 97.6 percent, well above the 90 percent threshold required for this designation. This achievement reflects the dedication of staff, volunteers and supporters who work tirelessly to ensure every adoptable animal has the opportunity for a second chance.

The Pet Pantry, offered twice monthly, distributed more than 10,000 pounds of food and supplies in 2024 alone, providing essential support to families facing financial hardship so they can continue caring for their beloved pets.

Volunteers remain the heart of PHS. In 2024, they donated 8,850 hours of service. Their dedication ensures that every animal in PHS’s care receives love, attention, and enrichment while waiting for a forever home.

The shelter also invests in its staff through skills and professional development opportunities. This training equips the team with the latest best practices in animal care, adoption programs and community outreach, helping PHS remain a leader in animal welfare.

Ways to Get Involved

Supporting the Pensacola Humane Society comes in many forms. Adopting a pet opens your home and heart to an animal in need, giving them the chance for a loving forever family. Fostering provides temporary care for animals while freeing up space in the shelter for others in crisis. PHS supplies all the necessities for fosters — food, bedding and veterinary care — so volunteers can focus on providing love and socialization.

Volunteering offers hands-on ways to help by walking dogs, cleaning kennels, assisting with events or distributing pet pantry supplies. Donations of money, food and supplies also make an immediate impact, funding medical treatments, outreach programs and shelter needs that save lives every day.

The PHS Pet Pantry, held twice each month, remains one of the most valued outreach programs, ensuring that families facing tough times can still care for the pets they love.

Be part of the community that can make a difference. Join us at Barktoberfest on October 18 from 10 am to 4 pm to celebrate the pet-human bond, enjoy a day of fun and support a brighter future for pets in need.

For complete event details and to learn more about the Pensacola Humane Society, visit pensacolahumane.org or email barktoberfest@pensacolahumane.org.