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It was a dog lover's dream at Haynes Park Saturday, Sept. 7.
Not only did more than 200 dogs take over the park's pool for the annual end-of-season Pooch Plunge, but there were also several animal shelter and rescues set up in the hopes of finding homes and fosters for their animals.
Connie Peterson, director of Rio Rancho Parks and Recreation, said that every year for about the past 19 years they have invited the dogs to come to the pool on the last day of the summer before it shuts down for the season.
It has turned into a dual-purpose event as shelter and rescues from the area come out as well as vendors providing pet goods and services.
Organizations filling the park with adoptable pets were Rio Rancho Animal Resource Center, Sandoval County Animal Services, Lucky Paws Mobile Adoption, Second Chance Animal Rescue NM, Fur-get Me Not Canine Rescue, Watermelon Mountain Ranch, and Santa Teresa NM Lost and Found Rescue.
"Everything's going wonderfully today," said Kimberly Jaramillo, animal care associate and Sandoval County Animal Services. "We've had people come by and meet the dogs. Our mission is the rescue, rehabilitate and rehome these animals."
She noted that one dog had already been placed on a trial adoption during the event.
"We typically have animal lovers at this event, so hopefully some of these shelter animals find forever homes," Peterson said.
PHOTOS: Pooch Plunge 2024
Haynes Outdoor Pool gets taken over by dogs Saturday, Sept. 7, for the annual Pooch Plunge.
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With a little more than an hour left in the event, the owners of about 200 dogs had paid the $5 entry fee to let their dogs swim. That money, Peterson said, go back to the city to help cover the cost of hosting the event.
That includes the tennis balls and other toys that were in the pool for the dogs to play with, permits, staffing costs, giveaways for the pet owners, and the cost of lifeguards.
Peterson said the crowd tends to be a mix of people who come out each year and those attending the event for the first time.
For the dogs, it was a chance to get some exercise, cool off and meet new friends.
"It's just draining for them, and it's just the greatest bath, too," Peterson said.
Jaramillo was happy to see the day's turnout. "It's just wonderful to see people come out and support this," she said.
