In 2003, positive reinforcement animal trainer Dennis P. Owens began an M-BARC series of classes and appointments for neighborhood dog owners, sponsored by this grant from Councilman Perkins and the NYC Department of Parks. This series and its off-shoots ran for 2 years, serving hundreds of area residents who participated in or observed the programs.

More recently, Morningside BARC has formed a partnership with Rondout Valley Shelter’s Training Wheels program, a traveling animal resource center designed for urban youth. Training Wheels brings trainers, games, obstacles and, best of all, its Lugnuts Competition to the center of the park, offering incentives to train dogs for purposes other than fighting, as it offers prizes to the strongest dogs. Prize amounts double for neutered/spayed dogs who win.

Please check the Upcoming Events section of the home page for the latest updates on when these, or other special events, will be coming next. Morningside BARC has also brought programs by the ASPCA, the CACC and Andrea Arden’s mobile agility course to the park for special events and services.

The event is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 4 at Al Lopez Park in Tampa. Participate in the fun activities including flyball, frisbee, face painting, a pet wash, contests for best trick, pet/owner look-a-like and more! There will also be festive entertainment and an amateur agility course.

The event is a critical fundraiser for ACT and a great way to get active in the community. Proceeds will further the low-cost spay/neuter services ACT provides our community, in their effort to curtail pet overpopulation.

Nearly 30,000 pets were euthanized in Hillsborough County alone last year, according to Hillsborough County government statistics.

Not only will participants be helping pets in our community, but they are eligible for great prizes including a private suite for a Tampa Bay Devil Rays game, MP3 player or portable DVD player with 7? LCD screen, week long vacation at Calypso Cay in Orlando, tickets to Oscar?s Night, Best Buy certificate, Big Cat Rescue Day Tour and more!

Interested folks can register or get team information, visit www.strideforstrays.org or call (813) 966-7766. Click here to go to Stride for Strays website

STRIDE FOR STRAYS – Saturday, November 4
WHO: Animal Coalition of Tampa presents the 6th Annual Stride for Strays
WHAT: Pet Walk for Pets and their People!
WHY: Individuals and teams collect donations that help ACT work towards an end to pet overpopulation. There will be prizes, entertainment, demonstrations, and fun-filled activities such as flyball, Frisbee, a pet wash and contests for best trick and pet/owner look-a-like and more!
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, November 4
WHERE: Al Lopez Park, 4810 North Himes Ave in Tampa

Stride For Strays – Getting Started:
1. Register yourself and recruit your team walkers.
2. Have your team walkers register.
3. Give each walker a little information on the event and ACT,its history and current projects.
4. Give each walker a brochure (in print) and flyer. Printed materials may be picked up at the ACT Spay/Neuter clinic. Call (813) 250-3900.
5 . Give each walker a Donation Collection Form so they can start asking for support for their involvement.
6. Post a team flier at your company.
7. Send e-mails to people you know requesting their support. If you have rescued an animal, it’s very effective for your pet to write the request and tell his story about how a similar group saved his life. Don’t forget to attach his picture!
8. Hold a bake sale, potluck, garage sale or other small fundraiser to raise some of the donation monies. Its always easier to raise money if you have something to offer!Stride for Strays