Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge and Good Shepherd Humane Society will co-host the first-ever Hot Dogs and Cool Cats Family Pet Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 10, at the refuge, located at 239 Turpentine Creek Lane in Eureka Springs.
The Hot Dogs and Cool Cats Family Pet Festival promises to be a super fun day out for animal lovers of all ages. The event will feature various activities, including a dog show with different categories such as Best Rescue Dog, Waggiest Tail, Best Trick and more.
In addition to the dog show, the event will offer food and drinks for purchase, raffles and fun games. There will be free microchipping and pet tags. Big Paws of the Ozarks, a Fayetteville-based dog training and foster-based rescue established in 2016, also will be attending.
Big Paws of the Ozarks began offering the Northwest Arkansas community dog training services in 2022. Matt Newton, director of training, will participate and bring some fun demonstrations and games for the dogs.
There will be an adoption drive so attendees can adopt a new best friend from Good Shepherd Humane Society to take home or adopt a big cat or bear from Turpentine Creek and let the team at TCWR do all the maintenance!
All proceeds from the event will go directly to support the missions of Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge and Good Shepherd Humane Society.
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge is a nonprofit organization dedicated to rescuing and providing a lifetime refuge for abandoned, abused and neglected big cats such as tigers, lions, leopards and cougars.
Good Shepherd Humane Society is a nonprofit organization committed to improving the welfare of animals in Carroll County through adoption, spay/neuter services, education and outreach.
“We are thrilled to partner with Good Shepherd Humane Society for this exciting event,” said Tanya Smith, president and founder of Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. “We share a common goal of improving the lives of animals in our community, and this event is a wonderful way to raise awareness and support our missions.”
“We are excited to team up with Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge to put on this unique event,” said Cole Wakefield, executive director at Good Shepherd Humane Society. “We hope to see many people and their pets at the Hot Dogs and Cool Cats Family Pet Festival, and we are grateful for the opportunity to work together to make a positive impact on the lives of animals.”
Admission to the Hot Dogs and Cool Cats Festival on Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge grounds is free. Dog owners may preregister for the dog show and save $5 per entry at https://gshs.harnessgiving. org/events/552. Registration also will be accepted at the event, space permitting. Once the signup payment is received, you will be contacted with entry- specific information and day-of details. Space is limited, and preregistration is encouraged.
Standard admission rates to Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge on the day of the event will apply. Registered pet owners participating in the dog show will receive discounted admission. Dogs are not permitted inside the refuge; dog-sitting services will be made available so attendees may also enjoy visiting
the big cats.
A limited number of vendor opportunities are still available, as well as volunteer opportunities and sponsorships.
For more information about the Hot Dogs and Cool Cats Family Pet Festival or the missions of Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge and Good Shepherd Humane Society, call Cheryl King at 479-253-5841 or Cole Wakefield at 479-253-9188.
