By Lindsay Doty
The ninth annual Bow Wow Bash is adding water to the party this year by opening up the Watermill Splash Pad at Williams Park to the dogs (and maybe some brave cats).
The splash area will be roped off and open to off-leash animals. It’s just one part of the big dog party going on at Williams Park in Brownsburg on Sept. 29.
The Bow Wow Bash will also have a dog blessing, a 1-mile Woof Walk, dog costume contests, vendors, food, a silent auction and more. Guests are invited to bring their pets and have fun.
Pet Blessing Ceremony at 1:30 pm
Photo by Faith Toole
The bash is the largest fundraiser for the Misty Eyes Animal Center located in Avon.
“Well it’s been amazing to watch Misty Eyes grow over the years, Bow Wow Bash Coordinator Sheryl Sackett said. “It seems to me like this is the one rescue that has the community behind it. Everyone seems to know the name and everyone is on board helping us raise money. It’s the dream realized and beyond our expectations and that’s all because of the continues support of the community.”
Misty Eyes Animal Center (founded in 2011) is a nonprofit that’s run by volunteers. It houses rescue animals in foster homes but is currently building an on-site facility.
The first phase, currently in progress, is the main building, which will serve as the adoption center and house administrative offices. The next phase is the construction of a cat building or “Kitty City” followed by a phase to build a dog facility titled “Canine Country.”
The new facilities will allow the center to accept more rescue animals.
“We currently have to turn away more animals than we want to but when we get Kitty City finished, we will free up those foster homes and that will take the pressure off county shelters and rescue groups,” Sackett said. “So we will be able to help hundreds and hundreds more.”
Last year, Bow Wow Bash raised $18,000 for the center. Organizers hope to raise that or more. They’re expecting more than 1,000 people and hundreds of pets.
“When I started the Bow Wow Bash, I remember begging my friends and their kids to help put this on and now to have so many wanting to help,” Sackett said. “I think it’s a true testament to the success of the event.”
Misty Eyes, along with 15 other rescues, will participate and bring over 100 animals up for adoption. Like Luna, a cattle dog that arrived at the center this month and is looking for a forever home.
“Anytime an animal gets more exposure than sitting in the shelter or barn rescue, they are going to get adopted faster,” Sackett said.
Cats are welcome to come to the event but aren’t typically brought for on-site adoption due to their cat-like ways.
“We did try one year to have cats adopted at the event, but we lost two of them up a tree and had to have the fire department come and get them down,” Sackett said with a chuckle.
This year Bow Wow Bash will have a Hendricks Power Cooperative ball drop where the Brownsburg Fire Department will drop 200 tennis balls from a ladder truck for a Misty Eyes alumni dog to run and retrieve. Balls are $10 each. If the dog grabs yours, you win a prize. Prizes include Indy 500 tickets and a mix of restaurant gift cards and dog baskets.
Ninth Annual Bow Wow Bash
Where: Williams Park
940 S. Locust Ln Brownsburg
When: Sunday, Sept. 29
1 -5 p.m.
Cost: Only a $5 suggested donation for adults. Kids and dogs are free.
For the full schedule and to purchase ball tickets go to bowwowbash.net
Misty Eyes Animal Center
Animals on site for adoption on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p. m.
616 County Road 800 Avon
317-858-8022
Misty Eyes currently has 77 animals that are up for adoption or will be when they either complete their medical care or are old enough.
