Puppies pranced around Dogwood Park & Daycare on Sunday, decked out in costumes that would make even the most austere cat-lover croon.
Dogwood Park & Daycare held its third annual Halloween event, featuring a dog costume contest, an agility run, adoptions, food, prizes and raffles. About 50 people attended.
A group of five students from UF’s business college teamed up with park staff to help raise money for Helping Hands Pet Rescue, a nonprofit organization in Gainesville dedicated to rescuing shelter animals.
Kelly Chirico, a 21-year-old business junior at UF, said the event was part of a group project for her Sales Management class. She said all of the event’s proceeds will go to Helping Hands.
“We’ve handed out fliers, talked it up and pitched the idea to businesses to try to get them to -donate money,” Chirico said. “Our goal is to raise $1,400.”
As dogs and humans filtered into the 15-acre park, they were met with a multitude of smells.
Hot dogs and cheeseburgers cooked on a grill, and homemade chili simmered in slow cookers.
About 15 dogs and their owners gathered to compete in five categories: cutest, scariest, best owner and dog pair, most creative, and superhero.
Zeus, a Yorkshire Terrier, was dressed as a gnome. He won second place in the cutest category.
Despite the “ruff” competition from puppies wearing banana split and angel costumes, the overall winner was Nyla, an Australian Shepherd dressed in a shark costume.
Her owner won a six-month membership to Dogwood Park.
Prizes for puppies and their owners included a homemade pound cake, dog treats, a dog blanket and memberships to the park.
Staff from Butler Plaza Animal Hospital also attended the event to offer treats, discounts, free dental exams and safety tips for dogs.
“We enjoy meeting people and educating them about good dental hygiene for their dogs,” said veterinarian Denise Seufert. “We’re offering them a chance to take care of their pets.”
