Does your dog like a party? Head to Finlay Park Saturday

Some may say Finlay Park is going to the dogs on Saturday, but actually it’s the dogs who are going to the downtown park.

The eighth annual Bark to the Park begins at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. It’s one of the biggest fundraisers for Pawmetto Lifeline, a not-for-profit rescue organization whose mission is to solve pet overpopulation in the Midlands with a no-kill policy.

Pawmetto Lifeline rescues more than 4,000 pets a year, spays and neuters up to 17,000 pets a year, and assists many pet owners with pet food, vaccinations, medical funds and even fencing.

The money raised during Saturday’s Bark to the Park helps pay for those services and more.

“Overall, it’s going to be a really fun day,” says Elizabeth Childers, marketing director for Pawmetto Lifeline.

Registration begins at 9 a.m., with the 1.5-mile walk scheduled for 10:30 a.m. The Columbia Police Department K-9 Unit will lead the walk. The After Paw-ty follows at 11 a.m.

Buddy’s Saucy Dogs will be among the vendors at the After Paw-ty. There also will be mascots, a Zumba party, and a K9s in Flight performance.

There will be pet contests, with prizes awarded for best look-alike, best costume, best trick and best overall. There will also be prizes for the top fundraisers.

There are five ways to get involved with Bark to the Park:

1. FORM A TEAM. “Get your friends and family together and give yourself a cutesy name,” Childers says. Her team’s name: Bob Barkers. Other names include Wild Wild Westies, Happy Tales and Fifty Shades of Spay. Work together to raise funds by soliciting sponsors or donations.

2. JOIN A TEAM. Go to  www.barktothepark.com and just randomly join a team. Get those donations or sponsors.

3. WALK SOLO. Just show up and walk alone, or with your dog. Fundraising options still apply. You can register at the event.

4. BE A VIRTUAL WALKER. OK, it’s really just making a donation but “you get the cool title of ‘virtual walker,’ ” Childers says. “You can be there in spirit if you can’t actually be there.”

5. JUST DONATE. Pawmetto Lifeline hopes to surpass last year’s fundraiser of $170,000.

“We’re expecting about 1,000 people and several hundred dogs,” says Childers. No cats or other animals are allowed, and dogs need to be on leashes, in strollers, held or otherwise under control.

As the website says, “it’s a fun-filled family event while helping to save homeless pets across the Midlands.”

Lezlie Patterson, Special to The State

This story was originally published April 6, 2016 at 2:33 PM with the headline "Does your dog like a party? Head to Finlay Park Saturday."