Barking Backers hosts 2024 Howl-O-Ween event

Staff Writer Intern

Barking Backers, the official Fan Club for Dogs, presented by Milk-Bone and in association with Embrace Pet Insurance and Pet Supplies Plus, hosted its tentpole Howl-O-Ween event. They opened the doors at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus to over 600 guests on Oct. 12.

Costumed dogs, alongside their human counterparts, lined up outside the practice field, sniffing around and wagging their tails in anticipation of the event, which is in its third year.

Over 300 dogs in costumes ranging from Superman to a soup can walked trick-or-treat style across a variety of stations offering goodies for both pups and dog-walkers alike. There were photo opportunities galore, with Chomps eager to greet his canine companions.

"All of it has been a highlight – the corn maze, the stations, this has been really cool. I'm really happy they did this," Sarah Saltsman, who alongside her dog Maverick is in her first year as a member of Barking Backers, said.

Dogs even had the chance to explore their artistic side. At Paw-casso's Painting Station, plastic bags coated in peanut butter containing paint-dotted pumpkins were given to the dogs, who licked the outside of the bag and created Halloween-themed masterpieces.

Check out photos from the 2024 Howl-O-Ween Barking Backers Event on October 12, 2024. Thanks to our partners, Milk-Bone, Embrace Pet Insurance, Pet Supplies Plus and ForeverLawn for their support.

The 2024 Howl-o-ween Barking Backers Event on October 12, 2024 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.

Stations ranged from presenting sponsor Milk-Bone, which offered free product samples for the dogs, to Pet Supplies Plus, which offered candy, treat balls and a bag giveaway. Other stations included pumpkin pup cups at Embrace Pet Insurance, a prize wheel at ForeverLawn and a special treat at Berea A.R.F (Animal Rescue Fund), in which dogs had to figure out how to get a treat from the inside of a paper towel roll.

The Barking Backers Premium tent gave away fall and Halloween-themed bandanas and W.A.G.S. 4 Kids (Working Animals Giving Service) offered a new take on finger painting, or perhaps paw-painting, for the dogs.

Thanks to the generous donations from Barking Backers members, the event raised over $1,000 for Berea A.R.F and W.A.G.S. 4 Kids. They also collected 384 paper towel rolls, which will be donated to the Parma Animal Shelter.

Howl-O-Ween was a free event for all members of Barking Backers who registered for a one-hour time slot. To join the ranks of the esteemed dogs who made an appearance Saturday, visit this link. The next Barking Backers event is scheduled for February 2025 – Smooches & Pooches.

Additionally, for participants who attended Howl-O-Ween and got a canine cauldron photo with your dog, click here to view and download the photos.