Pet lovers take part in Bark in the Park

APPLETON - It was a different kind of walk in the Fox Valley Saturday.

Dogs and their owners took to the trail for the 33rd annual Bark in the Park event in Appleton.

The event is hosted by the Fox Valley Humane Association.

More than 1,400 dogs and owners took part in the walk held on the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans grounds.

This year's theme was "Surf's Up!"

Dogs were decked out in beach appropriate costumes.

This year's event also featured a variety of pet-related vendors and prizes.

Organizers say Bark in the Park is one of the humane association's biggest fundraisers.  

"The funds from this event are really, really very important. They plug a lot of holes for us. We raise our entire budget every year, just over a million dollars this year, to help the homeless animals of the Fox River Valley and surrounding areas, and we need every penny. We work hard to raise this money," said Deb Lewis with the Fox Valley Humane Association.

All of the proceeds will go directly to help the animals.