GREENFIELD — Pet lovers and their furry pals will take over Riley Park and Riley Pool in Greenfield for two Saturdays this month during events tailored to keep dogs healthy and cool while fundraising for local organizations.
Dog Days of Summer takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in Riley Park and will feature vendors, animal demonstrations, pet adoptions and various free or discounted pet services.
The annual Paws Pool Party and Dog Dive Contest takes place at 10 a.m. Aug. 13 at Riley Pool, with another full slate of offerings planned throughout the day.
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Dog Days of Summer
More than 2,000 people and pets attend Dog Days of Summer each year, said Linda Carlton, a volunteer for Greenfield-Hancock Animal Management and the driving force behind the event since it began six years ago.Dog Days of Summer is a fundraiser to benefit animal management, but offers free animal health services to local families and gives animal advocacy groups an opportunity to spread their message to the community.
Admission is free, but the more than two dozen vendors on site during the event traditionally donate most or all of the day’s proceeds to Greenfield-Hancock Animal Management, Carlton said.
That money goes straight to the care of local animals, Carlton said. The animal management shelter turns away no stray animals and is responsible for responding to all animal problems in the county.
More than 30 different rescue and shelter organizations, including Hancock County’s Partners for Animal Welfare, or P.A.W.S., will have dozens of pets available for adoption.
Presentations, including a Frisbees-filled performance from Indy Dog and Disc and a demonstration of police protocols by the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department’s K9 unit, will take place throughout the day.
P.A.W.S. Pool Party
Dogs and their owners can enjoy a swim together Aug. 13 at Riley Pool during a pool party hosted Partners for Animal Welfare Society, or P.A.W.S.The pool, 300 Apple St., opens at 9:30 a.m. for practice for the organization’s 12th annual dive contest, which begins at 10 a.m.
Registration for the competition is $10, with all proceeds benefiting P.A.W.S.
Medals and prizes will be awarded to the three dogs with the longest dives.
Nancy Rubino, president and director of P.A.W.S. for the past 16 years, encourages dog owners to come out and participate, even first-time divers.
Not all dogs will jump in voluntarily, Rubino said, but many will go in after their favorite toys.
“The only rule is you can’t force the dog into the water,” Rubino said.
Open swimming begins at noon and runs until 4 p.m.
Admission is $12 for one person and one dog and $3 for each additional family member and dog.
Rubino admits having the dogs and their owners in and around the pool — more than 200 attended last year’s event — looks like chaos, but everyone has fun. Lifeguards are on duty, but no dog or person has ever needed to be rescued, she said.
The pool is heated and fenced in. The puppy pool (also known as the baby pool) is open for smaller dogs. There will be bowls of water available for the dogs and a concession stand will be open selling pulled pork, hot dogs, chips, treats and drinks for owners.
“We wanted to create an event where people can get out and move with their pets,” Rubino said.
The rain date for the event is Aug. 14.
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Dog Days of Summer
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. August 6
Where: Riley Park, 280 N. Apple St.
Admission: free
Contact: GHAM Dog Days of Summer on Facebook
PAWS Pool Party
When: August 13; Dog Dive starts at 9:30; Open swim starts at noon
Where: Riley Park Pool, 300 Apple St.
Admission is $12 per person and dog and $3 for each additional family member and dog.
Contact: PAWS Hancock on Facebook
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