Tarleton State University’s Pre-Vet Club is hosting its first annual “Pups in the Park” event this Saturday, April 12. The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Jaycee City Park, located on the corner of Harbin Drive and Lingleville Road.

“We wanted to have an event that allowed everybody to come together in a fun setting to promote better healthcare practices for pets overall,” Ashley Kerley, SGA Representative for the Pre-Vet Club, said. “We wanted to do something that would integrate not just the Tarleton community, but all of Stephenville, and get the whole city involved in what we’re striving to do.”

This event will have various booths run by different Tarleton organizations, as well as by local animal hospitals and shelters.

“The booths range from just being plain fun to educational, providing information on things like deworming procedures and other important areas about a pet’s health,” Kerley said.

Along with booths promoting and teaching pet health, some booths will provide things such as face painting, food, homemade dog treats and free micro chipping.

The money raised at the Pups in the Park event will go to philanthropies and giving back to the community.

“Each organization that decides to sell things at the event can use the money they earn to go toward their own philanthropies,” Kerley said. “The money that the Pre-Vet Club raises will go toward Fossil Rim to help them rebuild their conservation store that burned down in February.”

Food will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“There will be a dog costume contest at Pups in the Park, and people who want to enter can sign up for the contest until about 2, and that’s when judging will begin,” Kerley said. “At 2:30, we’ll announce the winners, and there will be gift baskets for the winners; the raffle will end shortly after that.”

Owning a dog is not required for the event. However, local animal shelters will be at the event providing information on adoption while showcasing some dogs in need of homes.