Events


*Telephone: 352-873-Pets or 352-873-7387*
The Humane Society of Marion County is a non-profit organization dedicated to the care and protection of animals in Marion County, Florida. Our mission is to prevent cruelty, suffering and over population of animals through education, housing and financial support.

Events

Events	Location	Date	Times
Hot Dogs and Cool Cats	McPherson complex	Nov. 8, 2008	9:00 am until 4:00 pm

Barkitecture - Art for Animals, What is it?

(article written and produced by Lashonda Stinson. with the Ocala Star Banner)

Officials with Marion Cultural Alliance and the Humane Society of Marion County gathered Thursday November 2, 2006 to officially announce "Barkitecture: Art for Animals," in which local architects and builders showcase their artistic skills by building canine and feline houses in a creative way. The project's logo and Web site, www.dogtownflorida.com, were also unveiled.
     In what organizers hope will rival the energy and excitement of 2001's Horse Fever, houses from Barkitecture will be on public display from September 2007 to January 2008 and then auctioned off. The funds raised will help benefit homeless animals. MCA will also receive a portion of the proceeds.
     "This is a project that will be out in the community for over a year and will help the Humane Society bring to the forefront that we have so many homeless animals and we need so much help," said Roseann Morton, co-chair of the project and Humane Society board member.
     Organizers hope to have 35 structures displayed all over the county. Amsden said sponsorships, which cost $1,500, are going fast and they have already secured a handful of participants for the project. Ocala Police Department Deputy Chief Greg Graham will create a doghouse in the likeness of the OPD building. Genesis Construction & Management Inc. and the city of Ocala are working to build a replica Marion Theatre doghouse.
     Amsden himself is building a doghouse in the image of the restaurant, Dee Dee's Doghouse.

The Dogsigner Showcase

The Dogsigner Showcase was held at the Marion Cultural Alliance, Brick City Center for the Arts, on April 20, 2007. This is an event where all the architectural renderings of the dog houses that will be completed for Dogtown USA are displayed. . Each of these completed houses will be on display at a participating business and eventually will be auctioned to the public. These proposed layouts range from a classic home to a complete ultra modern structure. Three of the drawings are shown below, just to give a taste of what a range of ideas all the participating folks have created in their minds and now on paper. Three of the dog houses are already completed and were on display at the event. The event was attended by many people of the community as well as a lot of our elected officials. Center picture is that of Mike Amsden who is the mayor of Dogtown USA.

Barkitecture Unveiling

The dogs and cats that are shown are just a few of the fiberglass animals that are on display. These animals were purchased and the artist of Marion County was ask to paint these statutes, which they did at no cost. The dog and cat house pictures pretty much speak for themselves. However, these pictures do not do them justice and they are a must see when they are revealed to the public. The time and expense that went into each of these houses is just discreditable and it is something the folks in Marion County can be proud.