By Jason Klaiber

Staff Writer

Helping Hounds Dog Rescue will put on its ninth annual Pumpkins and Pooches Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 5.

The free-to-enter event will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in and around the non-profit organization’s building at 6606 Kinne Road in DeWitt.

A dog costume contest, with a registration fee of $5 upon arrival at the festival, will be central to the day’s events.

“It’s amazing how creative people get when dressing up their four-legged friends,” Helping Hounds Executive Director Kathy Gilmour said.

Erin Zacholl, the director of fund development for the organization, said past canine contestants have worn costumes making them resemble a stagecoach driver or even outfits that match with their owner’s clothing.

The Pumpkins and Pooches festival will also feature a disc jockey, face painting, raffles, food vendors and a sale of baked goods prepared by Helping Hounds volunteers and other community members.

“We have a variety of different activities and attractions,” Zacholl said. “There’s something for everyone. It’s family-friendly, it’s dog-friendly and every year it seems to gain more and more popularity.”

As always, dogs will be up for adoption during the festivities.

Made up of over 300 volunteers, Helping Hounds receives money through donations, fundraisers and adoption fees.

The organization, started in 2009, works to find “forever homes” for rescue dogs in Central New York, annually connecting an average of over 1,700 dogs to area owners.

In March, the organization purchased a new building at 7268 Caswell St. in North Syracuse and is currently raising money to renovate the 9,000-square-foot space to be usable and comfortable for volunteers and the adoptable dogs present in their facilities.

To donate, visit helpinghoundsdogrescue.org, hover over the “donate” tab and click either the “journey home” or “donate now” links.

The website also allows individuals to sign up for volunteer opportunities.

The organization accepts applications in February, June and October. A sent-in application leads to an interview. Beyond that, the accepted volunteers must partake in orientation and training that spans multiple weeks.

Helping Hounds Dog Rescue presently seeks volunteers for the position of fund development committee member, who will contribute to building the nonprofit’s funds and procuring donations.

The organization also looks for dog walkers, responsible for leading dogs of all sizes on walks through designated areas outside of their crates and enclosures.

Applications can also be sent in seeking to fill the role of an “I Speak Doggie” presenter, who visits area schools to teach children how to stay safe around dogs. The “I Speak Doggie” program partners with Safe Kids Upstate NY, led by Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital.

Individuals must be at least 14 years old to volunteer with Helping Hounds. If selected, their required hours are six hours per month for six months.

Website visitors can also scroll through pictures of dogs that are available and complete an application to adopt one of them.

For more information, call the rescue office at 315-446-5970 or contact Erin Zacholl at 315-382-0895 or [email protected].