Dogtoberfest raises rescue awareness

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Saturday's fifth annual Dogtoberfest kicked off under pleasant skies and comfortable temperatures at The Domain. The whole event was a day for the dogs.

A silent action, Austin Police Department's K-9 unit, and a wiener dog race were just some of the things pet owners expected to see.

Starting at  3 p.m. the pups strutted their stuff in the costume contest. KXAN News Today weekend anchor, Brian Sanders emceed the event, and some familiar KXAN faces served as judges, including reporter Shannon Wolfson , meterologist Mark Monstrola and reporter Erin Cargile .

View photos of Saturday's event

As many as 5,000 people attended last year's Dogtoberfest and more than $70,000 was raised in the last four years. All the money raised benefits eight different rescue groups:

• Austin Boxer Rescue
• Austin German Shepherd Rescue
• Austin Dog Rescue
• Austin Sheltie Rescue
• Ay Chihuahua Rescue
• Pug Rescue Austin
• Hound Rescue
• Wee Rescue

"Just in five years, we have grown this event so much beyond anything we've ever thought," said Julie Strong, co-director of Dogtoberfest.

Strong and her co-director, Stan Parish, both visited the KXAN studios on Thursday with four of the dogs that were available for adoption at Saturday's event.

Send pictures from the event to KXAN through the online Report It feature.