Friends of the Havre Animal Shelter puts on Woofstock

Friends of the Havre Animal Shelter is holding its first-ever Woofstock Saturday, said organizer Kim Federspiel.

She said it is an event that is going to be fun for everyone.

The poster for the event says it is for “Peace, Love and Pets.”

“Very family- and dog-friendly, come down,” she said. “Just have fun, say hi.”

The event will be in Pepin Park from 2 to 6 p.m. People who bring their dogs to the event must have their dogs registered with the city to be brought into the park, Federspiel said, adding that people are encouraged to also bring lawn chairs.

She said the event will have live music performed by bands such as the Beagles, Black Labbeth and Muttley Crew —  bands comprising local musicians put together specifically for Woofstock.

Local comedian Paul Verity will also be performaning at the event, Federspiel added.

Triple Dog Brewing Co. will be providing beer, and the Friends of the Havre Animal Shelter are bringing wine, Federspiel said, adding that 100 percent of the money paid to Triple Dog will be donated.

Parker’s food truck and Fat Billy and the Boyz BBQ will have their trucks open for the event, she said, in addition to different variety of vendors such as several dog toy and grooming companies, a local veterinarian and a kissing booth with one of the puppies from the Havre Animal Shelter.

Alpha Dog, who was recently stolen from the shelter then found and returned along with the rest of the litter of puppies he is from will be making their debut at the event, Federspiel said, adding that RezQ Dogs will also have a few of their dogs at the event.

Federspiel said the event will include a silent auction, with many different businesses around town donating items for the event to be auctioned off.

She said she also wanted to thank Custom Collision Repair for providing the sound system and Havre City Council for allowing them to have the event at the park.

“I came up with the idea in December,” Federspiel said. “I saw something down in another state, they do a Woofstock, and I thought it was like the coolest name and coolest idea. So I got together with some friends that are involved in music and they really like the idea and they wanted to help with the music. And then it kind if just snowballed from there.”

The Friends of the Havre Animal Shelter received its nonprofit status from the IRS within the last two months, she said, adding that Friends of the Havre Animal Shelter board has four members.

The nonprofit was established to help the Havre Animal Shelter, administered by Havre Animal Control Officer Peter Federspiel, with things that extend outside of the shelter’s budget, she said. The shelter is taking in a great many animals including from the rising cat population, so the shelter often goes over budget.

“The Animal Shelter is part of the Havre Police Department,” the Havre Animal Shelter’s website says.

“Here at Havre Animal Shelter, we are committed to a single goal; we strive to make Havre a better place. The Havre shelter can house eight dogs and four cats in the main kennel. We also have a quarantine area that can be used for temporary housing of animals,” the website says.

“Our goal is to provide a safe place for animals until they can be turned over to (their owners),” the website said.

The nonprofit will also help pay for the free spay and neuter clinic that happens in June, she said, adding that the organization would also like to set up a “trap, neuter, release” program for cats to help with the overpopulation.

“If you want to help animals and see what Pete’s doing at the shelter and support it, it would be nice to come out and help us out,” Kim Federspiel said. “We just want to help as many as we can.”

She added that support has been overwhelming, with people offering support, donations and help.

“It’s been really cool to watch,” she said.