Welcome to the Mardi Paws

Welcome to the Mardi Paws Subhead BARK, Inc. collects over $70K at 21st annual fundraiser News Staff Wed, 02/21/2024 - 05:46 Image

• The Tin Building Theatre at the Bosque Arts Center was packed with dog lovers for the 21st Annual BARK Gala on Saturday night, February 17 in Clifton. Nathan Diebenow | Meridian Tribune
• Guests of the 21st Annual BARK Gala followed dress code during the Mardi Gras -themed fundraiser at the Bosque Arts Center on Saturday, February 17. Nathan Diebenow | Meridian Tribune
• Welcome to the Mardi Paws
• Welcome to the Mardi Paws
• Welcome to the Mardi Paws
• Welcome to the Mardi Paws
• Dr. Bill Ormston (from left), Dr. Amy Hayek,Todd Clift, Carleen Stacey, Jane Murphy, and Alexis Wellman received a Friendship Award from the Bosque Animal Rescue Kennels, Inc. on Saturday, February 17, in Clifton. Awardees not pictured are Jenny Holly and Michelle Ann Knecht. BARK President Jackie Murski (not pictured and BARK Kennel Director Jenny Luper (center, left) presented the awards. Nathan Diebenow | Meridian Tribune

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Everywhere else, it was just Saturday.

But on Saturday, February 17, people who care about the lives and health of dogs packed the Tin Building Theater to celebrate the achievements of Bosque County’s animal rescue group in 2023.

The 21st annual fundraiser was sold out with 18 tables of eight sponsored by area folks and families involved in small business, real estate, insurance, electricity generation, and municipal and county governments, including public safety.

At the end of the Mardi Gras-themed event at the Bosque Arts Center, the Bosque Animal Rescue Kennels, Inc. collected over $70,000 that will go toward the care of dogs rescued by the organization’s volunteers.

During the evening’s celebration, several special volunteers and supporters were honored with awards: Dr. Amy Hayek and Dr. Bill Ormston, Jane Murphy, Todd Clift, Jenny Holly, Michelle Ann Knecht, Alexis Wellman, and Carleen Stacey.

BARK’s Kennel Director Jenny Luper and BARK President Jackie Murski presented the awards.

The event also featured a short video that showed behind-the-scenes view of the kennel operation from perspective of the kennel crew.

“Fostering, donating, and volunteering are how we embody our team motto,” the video’s narrator said. “We can’t save them all, but with your support, we can save more lives.”

In addition, Murski gave a report on the BARK’s activities for 2023 and hinted at goals for the not-for-profit organization in 2024.

“We saved 130 dogs this year,” she said. “We have 28 in our kennels, plus 67 dogs we have in foster care right now.

She added, “We had 50 adoptions. We transported 32 out of Texas. We try to get any dog we can into a home by any means.”

Murski noted that BARK utilizes partnerships with Bosque Spay Neuter and other rescue groups for animal transport services.

Murski also introduced BARK’s other officers Ally Tello, secretary; and directors Talon Clift, Alexis Sibila Wellman, Erin Mercer, and Erin Norris.

Among the items up for the live auction included fishing trips, sports and music memorabilia, premium beef with a new freezer, fine art, vacation getaways to New Mexico, Fredericksberg, and the Texas Gulf Coast, and a meet-and-greet with country music artist Pat Green.

About BARK

The Bosque Animal Rescue Kennels, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c) (3) animal rescue shelter that provides a temporary haven for lost, abandoned, and mistreated dogs in Bosque County.

BARK’s facility is located on Highway 6 a mile south of Clifton’s city limits.

For more information, visit BARK’s website: www.barkrescue.org.