Berkeley Humane’s annual Bark and Meow Around the Block returns Saturday, August 23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 2700 Ninth Street in Berkeley. This annual street fair with music, food, a beer/wine/vodka garden and more is one of the best chances all year to find a new furry friend.With hundreds of adoptable dogs from more than two dozen Bay Area shelters and rescues, the event brings them all together in one place to meet families who are ready to give them a forever home. Adoption fees from Berkeley Humane are waived for the day, and many partner organizations also offer discounts, making it the perfect time to take the leap and bring a new pet into your life.
The variety of pets available means there’s someone for everyone. Puppies and kittens are always a draw, but there are also gentle senior pets looking for a calm retirement home, energetic young dogs eager for adventures, and special-needs animals who simply need a patient, loving hand. Meeting these pets face-to-face helps people make real connections, and many visitors leave with a new companion they hadn’t even planned on finding.
Of course, there’s plenty of fun wrapped around the mission. Visitors can enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer and wine garden, local pet vendors, games, and giveaways. It’s free to attend, and the lively street-fair atmosphere makes it a great outing whether you’re ready to adopt or just want to be surrounded by the energy of wagging tails and purring cats.
Berkeley Humane, the nonprofit behind the event, has been part of the East Bay community for decades. They provide adoptions, low-cost spay and neuter services, training classes, and programs that help keep pets with their families. Their mission is simple but powerful: to create happy matches between people and animals, and to give homeless pets the second chances they deserve. Bark and Meow Around the Block is their way of throwing open the doors to the community and helping as many animals as possible find a loving home.
