The 9th Annual Bark & Wine, Madison-Oglethorpe Animal Shelter’s signature fundraising event, is back again at the Historic Smithonia Farm in Oglethorpe County on Saturday, May 18, 2024. This popular one-night event features a wide-selection of winesand beer provided by Boutier Winery and Athentic Brewing Company; dinner provided by Carrabba’s Italian Grill of Athens;desserts from multiple supporters; live music from local blues musician Marsellus Fariss; silent and live auctions; raffles; and more.
This year’s event will feature over 100 donated items from regional partners in Madison, Athens-Clarke, Oglethorpe, Oconee, Elbert, and Banks counties including custom art work by local artists like James Dean (creator of Pete the Cat), Will Eskridge, David Morgan Pottery, Bendzunas Glass, and more; custom photography; gift certificates to local businesses and for various activities; and so much more! A complete list of items is available online, and more items are being added daily. Tickets are only $60 in advance and $70 at the door and can be purchased at MOAS or online at www.moaspets.com/barkandwine.
All proceeds from the event go directly back to the care of unwanted and abandoned animals in our community. MOAS takes in approximately 2,600 animals each year and plays a critical role in our region by providing, among other things, one of the only locations where pet owners can take advantage of regular low-cost vaccine and spay/neuter clinics, including free spay/neuter surgeries. This year we’re especially excited to have received a Banfield Community Care Grant to provide 1,000 free vaccines to community pets in Oglethorpe County. The shelter is committed to supporting the neediest families in our region through low-cost clinics and a free community food bank. The Bark & Wine also helps raise funds to treat sick and injured animals that are brought to the shelter like dogs that have been hit by cars, cats that got stuck in car engines, and animals that come in with all manner of pre-existing injuries, like Duggee, a sweet dog who recently came in with an intestinal obstruction and required emergency surgery at UGA. All of these animals might be euthanized immediately upon arrival at a different shelter. Fundamentally, pet overpopulation is a community problem, and MOAS cannot succeed without community support. The Bark & Wine provides a fantastic opportunity for animal lovers to support the shelter while enjoying a fun evening of entertainment, great food, and excellent wine. More information is available at www.moaspets.com/barkandwine.
About MOAS: Madison-Oglethorpe Animal Shelter (MOAS) is an open-intake, largely donor-supported shelter committed to saving as many animals as possible while working to reduce pet overpopulation. MOAS takes in animals from residents of Madison and Oglethorpe counties, which together cover over 700 square miles, giving MOAS one of the largest (if not the largest) service areas in the state. MOAS relies heavily on community support to ensure that our animals have the best possible outcomes.