SQSPCA To Celebrate the Season with ‘Barktoberfest,’ Dog Show
COOPERSTOWN—The Susquehanna Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is gearing up for “Barktoberfest,” the shelter’s bi-annual fall event and dog show, to be held at the Iroquois Farm Showgrounds on Saturday, October 4 from 1-4 p.m. Approximately 200 people attended last year’s Barktoberfest “friend-raiser,” and this year organizers are expecting that number to grow.
Barktoberfest kicks off promptly at 1 p.m., featuring American Kennel Club dog agility demonstrations by the Del-Otse-Nango Kennel Club, family-friendly activities, animal-associated exhibits and visits with adoptable pets. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Admission to the event is free and open to the public, though free-will donations are encouraged to support the work of the SQSPCA.
The shelter’s popular dog show is scheduled for a 3 p.m. start, with NewsChannel 2 WKTV’s Jason Powles as emcee. The registration fee for dog show participants is $20.00 per dog, per class. Admission is free for spectators.
“Folks are advised to sign up early via the SQSPCA website, as there is a limit of 10 dogs per class,” said SQSPCA Executive Director Stacie Haynes.
In the event that there are still spots remaining, Haynes said sign-up will close at noon the day of the show. All canines—whether taking part in the dog show or simply on hand for Barktoberfest—must be on a leash. Participants are asked to arrive at the dog show tent by 2:30 p.m.
“This show is for all dogs, regardless of breed or size, but please be sure your dog has a current license and is up to date on immunizations,” Haynes cautioned.
The judges are looking for healthy, happy, bright-eyed dogs who are socially comfortable in a small arena, she explained.
“If your dog is not friendly with other dogs or new people, this might not be the best event for them,” Haynes advised.
The following dog show classes will be judged: Best Rescue Dog, Best Trick, Dog with the Waggiest Tail, Loudest Bark, Loveliest Lady—Best Female Dog, Most Fabulous Fella-Best Male Dog, Most Obedient, Special Senior—Best Dog Over 10 years.
Sponsorships for the shelter’s Barktoberfest and dog show are still available at various levels. All proceeds from this event support the work of the SQSPCA.
“If you want to sponsor the show and have your business or family name recognized with a sign at Barktoberfest, please reach out to Cay Franck at cfranck@sqspca.org,” Haynes said.
Judges confirmed to date include: Cooperstown Central School Superintendent Sara Spross; Cooperstown Elementary School Principal Amy Malcuria; Otsego County Sheriff’s Deputy Erika Puffer; and New York State Assemblyman Brian Miller. Exhibitors thus far are the American Kennel Club, Montezuma Winery, The Grapevine food truck, Dog Wild Canine Supply, Chef Dave Neil’s food truck and Northway Brewing Co.
Iroquois Farm Showgrounds, best known as the site of The Farmers’ Museum’s annual Junior Livestock Show, is located at 1527 County Highway 33 (River Road) in Middlefield. For more information regarding “Barktoberfest” or to register for the dog show, visit https://www.sqspca.org/event/barktoberfest/.
Del-Otse-Nango Kennel Club is a nonprofit organization, founded in 1949 under the auspices of the American Kennel Club. An AKC Fit Dog club, they welcome all dogs, whether purebred or mixed breed, and host a number of annual and monthly events, including AKC Temperament and Farm Dog Certified testing. The club meets at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month at the Oneonta Vet’s Club, 279 Chestnut Street, Oneonta. Members of the public are welcome to attend.
In operation since 1917, the Susquehanna SPCA is a 501c3 charitable organization committed to caring for homeless, surrendered, and seized companion animals and finding them loving, forever homes. The SQSPCA is a privately funded, state inspected animal shelter practicing “no-kill” philosophies. Private donations, grants, fundraising and the New Leash on Life Thrift Shop are the shelter’s primary source of income. For more information or to donate, visit www.sqspca.org
