Tri-Lakes Humane Society announces “ADK Bark-in-the-Park event and annual fundraiser

The hard-working folks at the Tri-Lakes Humane Society are planning a fun afternoon on a Sunday next month at the Tupper Lake Municipal Park that is also intended to be a major fundraiser to help them underwrite some of the many services they provide in our area to help pets and their owners.

The “Adirondack Bark-in-the-Park”will feature many enjoyable activities on Sunday, September 17 for pet owners, their pets and residents of the area, in general.

There will be live music by a local band, “Night School,” from noon to 3p.m., a beer and wine tent for those 21 years of age and older, food trucks with plenty of good fare and plenty of fun things to do for people and their pets.

Between noon and 4p.m. event there will be plenty of activities and vendors for people to enjoy. Fun raffles and creative contests will be set up alongside activity stations. A new station implemented this year is the “swap tent,” where gently used pet items can be exchanged or donated. Examples include but are not limited to collars, leashes, toys, bedding, etc.

Franklin County Public Health officials will be there to conduct a rabies clinic from noon to 2p.m. Pre-registration is necessary by contacting that county agency (518-891-4471).

There will also be pet micro-chipping from 1:30p.m. to 2:30p.m. for a small extra fee.

There is admission to the event but all of it will go to support the many good works of the society. Those under 12 years of age will be admitted free. Donations of any size will be graciously accepted.

Each admission ticket can be redeemed for one free alcoholic beverage (if 21), or one non-alcohol drink, plus an ice cream treat.

The first 100 people who pre-register will receive a custom tote bag with goodies inside.

The major sponsors of the afternoon event are Adirondack Regional Federal Credit Union, One Group, Long Run Wealth Advisors and Martin and Dukett Accounting. The credit union is again the main sponsor of the event, as it has been in recent years.

Supporters who have also made this fundraiser possible include: ADK Food Oasis, Bad to the Bone Pet Grooming, Boulevard Wine & Spirits, Cabin Fever Floral and Gifts, Critters, Fairytale Dram Photography, LaVigne’s IGA, Porkbusters BBQ, Raquette River Brewery, Shaheen’s IGA, Stacked Graphics, Tupper Lake Supply, Tails of Long Lake, Tractor Supply, the Village Mercantile and UPS, as well as some other smaller vendors in the area.

All proceeds from the event will benefit the society and its many important services.

The Tri-Lakes Humane Society is a no-kill, not for profit animal center in Saranac Lake. Its mission is to advocate for the humane treatment of animals and provide care and shelter for the animals that need it most. The staff works to reunite lost pets with their owners, to find loving homes for the animals in its care and to educated the public about humane animal care, animal laws and spaying /neutering to reduce overpopulation. The shelter and its staff also provide shelter and dog control services for a number of communities.

The society has deep roots in the tri-lakes area. In 1942 a group of animal-loving teenagers founded the ADK Animal Welfare Society. About 30 years later official documents were signed and the Tri-Lakes Humane Society was created. In 1994 the society won 501-3-c status from the Internal Revenue Service, making all donations to it tax deductible.

Shortly thereafter the society was given an old restaurant building on the western edge of Saranac Lake at 255 George LaPan Memorial Highway. After much renovation, it has been its home ever since.

Tri-Lakes Humane Society is the shelter for 11 towns including Tupper Lake and Long Lake. It has helped over 1,000 animals from Tupper Lake since 1972 alone. Giving food, water, shelter, medical attention and all essentials for a new beginning to all animals that come through its door is central to its ongoing mission.

The society’s staff and volunteers are able to care for between 300 and 400 animals every year.

Aside from town contracts, Tri-Lakes Humane Society depends solely on donations. Many fundraisers are planned each year to help the shelter to receive the resources needed to continue providing for the animals in need.

In recent weeks the Free Press interviewed Kim Charland, an active volunteer board member of the society, and Victoria “Tori” Tanner, the executive director, and both were excited about the September 17 event in the local park.

They explained that this is the third time the event has been held at the municipal park here, noting that this year they hope to make it the best and most enjoyable yet.

Full details of the event can be found at infotrilakeshumanesociety.org.