Dog-friendly event raises funds for spay, neuter services
Boerne’s Main Plaza is going to the dogs.
On Saturday, the plaza will be filled with furry four-legged friends when the sixth annual Barktoberfest offers a celebration of pets and their people.
From the doggy dash to Dachshund races, dog costume contests, a petting zoo and pet adoption opportunities, Barktoberfest offers something for all pet lovers, said members of the Hill Country Animal League, which is sponsoring the event.
The funds raised Saturday help reduce the cost of spay and neutering services for 100-150 cats and dogs each year, said Becky Forrest, HCAL executive director.
“With all the fundraising and grants we receive, we’re able to cut those (spay-neuter) costs by one-third to one-half,” Forrest said. “And that’s for rescues, low-income pet owners, adoptions, for everybody.”
“Every time we get to announce a dog has been adopted, that’s amazing.”
— Becky Forrest, Hill Country Animal League
Two Dachshunds zoom to the finish line during 2025’s Barktoberfest Dachshund races.
Star file photo Official Barktoberfest hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Both the event and downtown parking are free.
Attendees will also find various pet-related and community support vendors, food trucks and beer vendors, and a silent auction on the agenda.
Things get underway at 10 a.m. Saturday as registration begins for the day’s three main draws: the pet, and pet-and-owner combo, costume contests, which run 11 a.m. to noon; Doggy Dash, from 12:30-1:30 p.m.; and the day’s highlight, the Dachshund races, from 1:30-2 p.m.
The registration table is open 10-11 a.m. Online signups are encouraged, but there is also in-person registration on the day of the festival.
The cost is $25 per dog per event. For more, go to hcaltx.org/. Forrest said the dog-and-pet-owner costume contest is one of her favorite happenings, but at the top of the list are the announcements when an adoption occurs.
“Every time we get to announce a dog has been adopted, that’s amazing, it’s a great feeling,” she said.
Adoptions and rescue agencies expected to be on site include Boerne Animal Care Services, DaisyCares Bandera, Cafe House, Animal Ark, Texas Round Up, Paws4 Big Hearts, Saving Grace, God’s Dogs, Pause for Paws, Helotes Humane Society and the Kendall County Animal Shelter and Adoption Center.
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