OKEECHOBEE — Bark in the Park was a huge success. The fundraiser was held to raise money for Okeechobee Animal Control. Smiles & Wiggles Photographer Judy Throop took pictures of families and their pets with the Easter Bunny. She said the photographs alone raised over $800 for the animals, and in all, the fundraiser brought in over $4,000.

The event was the brainchild of Christina Honeycutt, who owns Okeechobee Cell Phone Repair.  In December, Honeycutt organized a similar event called Santa Paws. That event was also a fundraiser for animal control. 

Throop said it's not definite yet, but they are thinking of having a Barktober Fest in the fall and of course will repeat Santa Paws in December. 

The women are both animal lovers and work tirelessly to raise funds and raise awareness for the animals in shelters, needing homes and families.

They would like to thank the vendors who came out to help make the event a lot of fun. They would especially like to thank the sponsors who helped make it possible — Pawsitive Impact, Litter Mate, Fur-Ever Friend and Miller A/C, Sacred Lounge, Kay's Boutique, Glow Bar, Andrea Neolle, Muck City Tattoos, Trinity Ranch, Okeechobee Feed, Pet Supermarket, Tractor Supply, AutoZone, Threadworks Embroidery, Lasting Moments Photography and Okeechobee Cell Phone Repair.