By Sam Parsons

The Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter is hosting its 5th Annual Bark-A-Que fundraiser next Saturday (6/10) in the Mahaska Drug parking lot. The No Coast Network sat down with Shanna Smith, the director of the shelter, to hear about what’s new and what’s coming back for this year’s event.

Smith gave a rundown of some of the main highlights for this year’s Bark-A-Que.

Smith said that this event, along with the Shelter’s annual Bark-and-Boo-A-Que in the fall, are the two biggest fundraisers that the Shelter puts on each year.

She said that fundraising accounts for roughly one third of the money brought in by the Shelter each year, with the rest coming from simple donations and local government entities (about a third each).

There will be some adoptable dogs on hand at the Bark-A-Que as well, so you could go home with your new best friend; Smith says that with the Shelter currently being over capacity, they’re hoping that the event can lead to some eventual adoptions.

For those who think they might want to adopt a dog on the spot, Smith encourages you to submit an application for adoption beforehand.

The Bark-A-Que will be held from 10am-2pm on June 10 at the Mahaska Drug parking lot. More information can be found at the Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter Facebook Page or by calling the Shelter at 641-673-3991.

Our full conversation with Shanna Smith can be listened to below.