Costume party set for dogs, families

There will be a prize for the ugliest-costumed dog.

HERMITAGE, Pa. — A special costume party for dogs and their families will benefit area animal rescue groups.

The “Howl-O-Ween” party is planned for noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Hillcrest Dog Park and Wellness Center, 2619 E. State St., and is open to the public.

“One of the objectives of the dog park and wellness center is to provide a central location for supporting and showcasing homeless pets for adoption as well as for raising the community’s awareness of this very worthy cause and the local groups who spend countless volunteer hours rescuing and sheltering neglected, abused and abandoned animals,” said Roberta Knauf, pet funeral director of Hillcrest-Flynn Pet Funeral Home and Crematory who oversees Hillcrest Dog Park and Wellness Center.

“And so we thought what a better way to do this but to sponsor a fun, community event where everyone can get involved.”

They hope to make the party an annual event.

Animal Appeal, Club Pet Adoption, Humane Society of Mercer County, Pet Solutions and Promises for Pets will participate by setting up fund-raising booths with items for sale to support their organizations. The community will also have the opportunity to meet pets available for adoption by these groups.

Free activities planned include a costume parade and contest for dogs and their families as well as a pumpkin-carving contest for children.

Costume judging is in the following categories — for dogs: scariest, funniest, most original, ugliest, prettiest; for dogs and their families: best couple (person and pet), best group, best kid and pet; and then from the winners of these categories, an overall: 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize. Pet contest prizes are donated by It’s a Paw Thing, LLC (www.itsapawthing.com).

Owners are to register their dogs for the costume parade and contest between noon and 1 p.m. on the day of the event, and parents are to register their children for the pumpkin-carving contest in advance by calling (724) 685-1169. The first 50 dogs to register will receive a very special spooky prize.

Other activities planned include a tea-cup auction and doggie games. Proceeds will go to the participating rescue organizations. Refreshments will be available.

Hillcrest-Flynn Pet Funeral Home and Crematory, and Hillcrest Memorial Park People and Pet Gardens provide respectful, compassionate, comprehensive after-life care for pets and their families. It is the first pet funeral home and crematory to be located on the grounds of a human cemetery. Its People and Pet Gardens provide a section where people can be buried with their pets in the same or adjacent lots, and a section for pets only.

Hillcrest Dog Park and Wellness Center is the first private off-leash park for dogs in Mercer County and surrounding areas.

For more information about the event, call (724) 347-5100 or visit hillcrestflynn.com.