Pups will strut at West Orange's Bark in the Park Saturday

In West Orange on Saturday, big and little beauties will be on display as they hope to find a new home with a plush bed and a back yard.

They are the dogs and puppies of the city's animal shelter and volunteers have turned Bark in the Park into a small festival. It will be this Saturday, June 22, at Alford-Seals Plaza next to city hall on Western Avenue. Times will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The event was created to help the public shelter find foster homes or 'furever' families to help the stray and unwanted canines at the shelter. Volunteers will have dogs of all sizes and ages on display so potential adopters can find their new pet.

Adopters will need to fill out the proper forms and meet the shelter's guidelines.

No other groups or individuals will be able to bring in dogs or other animals to display for adoption or sell. However, someone wanting to adopt a dog may bring another family pet to see if they get along with their potential brother or sister.

Besides the dogs on display, a number of vendors will have booths set up to promote services or sell items. Some of those will be related to dogs and other pets.

In addition, Big Daddy's Food Truck will be set up to sell food and snow cones will be available.

People attending are invited to help shelter dogs by donating wet or dry dog foods for different ages, treats, toys, and bedding. The donations will go toward a couple of local shelters and local rescue groups.

The West Orange Shelter uses volunteers like teacher Holly Callahan to come in afternoons to walk and play with the shelter dogs. In addition, retired teacher Lacey Hale Deville volunteers and takes photographs of the dogs so they can be displayed on social media.

The West Orange Animal Shelter is at 2700 Austin Street, behind the city's police and fire station. The number is 409-883-3468 for more information about volunteering or adopting.