Bark in the Park 2025: Giving Back to Tampa’s Homeless Animals

Bark in the Park 2025: Giving Back to Tampa’s Homeless Animals

Imagine a world where every wagging tail has a warm home, where every playful bark is met with love and kindness.  That's the world the Humane Society of Tampa Bay (HSTB) strives to create, and it's a vision Wholesome Goods and PupGrade wholeheartedly share.

There's nothing quite like the feeling of community that comes together when celebrating our furry friends, and that's exactly what we experienced at Bark in the Park! This incredible event, benefiting the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, brings together dog lovers from all over to support a truly worthy cause.

We’re a team filled with dog lovers and owners – some of our Wholesome pups are even rescues themselves! That’s why supporting animal welfare is personal to us, and why we were so excited for PupGrade to take part in the event. 

At Wholesome Goods, giving back is at the heart of what we do. We’re excited to share our experience at this impactful event, how PupGrade got involved, and why we’ll always stand behind the mission to help every pet find a loving home.

People and dogs walking around the Bark at the Park event in Tampa Bay

The Humane Society of Tampa Bay & Bark in the Park

The Humane Society of Tampa Bay (HSTB) is a no-kill, nonprofit organization dedicated to saving animals and supporting pet owners. For over 100 years, HSTB has provided adoptions, affordable veterinary care, and community programs to reduce pet homelessness. Their Animal Health Center offers low-cost medical services, while spay/neuter initiatives and pet food assistance help local families care for their pets. Through donations and volunteers, HSTB continues to give animals a second chance at a loving home.

Bark in the Park is an amazing annual event held by the Humane Society of Tampa Bay at Curtis Hixon Park in Tampa, Florida. 

This event isn’t just about fun (though there was plenty of that!). It’s about raising critical funds to provide food, medical care, and shelter for thousands of homeless pets. From the one-mile Walk for the Animals along Tampa’s beautiful Riverwalk to a festival packed with entertainment, vendors, pet-friendly activities, and adoptable dogs, the day was filled with heartwarming moments and community spirit.

And this year, the community truly rallied behind HSTB, exceeding their fundraising goal and raising an impressive $205,473.12—that’s 102% of their target!

PupGrade team members talking with a woman at booth

Festival Fun: Connecting with the Community

PupGrade was thrilled to join the festivities this year, where we had the opportunity to showcase our products and connect with the local community. 

Our outstanding Wholesome Goods retail team filled the booth with our best offerings, including samples of our popular Joint Support soft chews, which attendees couldn’t stop “barking” about. By the end of the event, only a few sample bags remained — proof of how well-loved they were! 

Connecting with the local community was a highlight of the day, with countless opportunities to meet both two- and four-legged attendees. Many furry friends and their humans stopped by to chat, share stories, and learn about PupGrade. And we were a hot spot for dogs looking for a moment in the shade. 

In addition to giving out samples, we were excited to share exclusive discount cards with customers. These cards provided a special offer that will be available for the next 30 days, and we’re already seeing orders come through from event-goers who were excited to try PupGrade for themselves.

Three photos showing a dog wearing sunglasses sitting in front of a PupGrade booth, a group of dogs at the booth, and a dog with its tongue hanging out sitting by the booth.

Supporting the Humane Society of Tampa Bay

Bark in the Park is more than just a fun day out for dogs and their owners; it’s a vital fundraising effort for the HSTB. This organization does so much for the animals of Tampa Bay, and the funds raised through events like Bark in the Park make a tangible difference and give them a second chance at happiness. 

And PupGrade was proud to be a part of this important event. We are a Pet Pal sponsor, contributing a $500 sponsorship fee to this important cause. We believe in giving back to the community and supporting organizations that share our passion for helping animals in need. Our involvement is an extension of our mission to help pets live their happiest, healthiest lives. It’s a way for us to put our values into action and show our support for the well-being of animals. 

By participating in events like Bark in the Park, we can connect with fellow animal lovers, raise awareness about important issues like animal homelessness, and contribute to the vital work of organizations like the Humane Society of Tampa Bay.

We encourage our readers to join us in supporting the Humane Society of Tampa Bay by donating, volunteering their time, or considering adopting one of their lovable animals. Every contribution, big or small, helps provide these deserving animals with the love and care they need. 

Visit the Humane Society of Tampa Bay’s website to learn more about their work and how you can get involved. 

PupGrade team members showing off PupGrade products at booth

An Overall Paw-sitive Experience

PupGrade's experience at Bark in the Park was truly paw-sitive in every way. We were thrilled to be a part of such a wonderful event that celebrates the bond between humans and their canine companions while supporting a cause so close to our hearts.

We'd like to extend a huge thank you to the organizers, volunteers, and attendees who made Bark in the Park such a success. Your passion for animal welfare is truly inspiring. We were so grateful for the opportunity to connect with so many fellow dog lovers and share our passion for pet health and happiness.

Stay tuned for more updates from PupGrade by following us on social media and we hope to see you and your furry friends at Bark in the Park again next year!