Last Saturday, Austin organizations Love-A-Bull and Yard Bar teamed up for the third annual Howl-O-Ween, giving dog owners the chance to dress up with their furry friends. 

According to their website, Love-A-Bull “was organized to educate and advocate on behalf of the American Pit Bull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and pit bull mixes.” The main focus of the event was the dog costume contest, which was open to any breed, where all proceeds went towards supporting Love-A-Bull’s mission. Yard Bar, a local bar with a dog park that caters to pet owners, hosted the event. 

Kristin Davis, Love-A-Bull events chair, said her favorite part of Howl-O-Ween is the costume contest. She said on average, the contest has 30 to 40 dogs sign up to compete for prizes. One dog dressed as singer Dolly Parton while others were dressed as other celebrities or other characters.  

“I love the dogs and I love the little dogs that prance on the stage,” Davis said. “You could tell they’re photogenic and they’re so proud of what they’re doing. So I think those are absolutely my favorite things to see.” 

Yard Bar staff members offered food and beverages to the attendees. Bar Manager Paul Chapin, who owns a bulldog and considers himself a “dog lover,” looks forward to hosting the event every year. 

“I can’t wait to see all the dogs strutting their stuff, like this guy right here,” Chapin said, pointing to a dog wearing sunglasses. “It’s already coming together so well. The sun is shining and the dogs are smiling and that always just makes my day every day. This is one of the events that I generally look forward to every year.” 

Chad Minarcin who entered his dog Panda into the costume contest, wore a rainbow jumpsuit while Panda dressed as an “Austin hipster.” The small dog wore an open denim vest along with sunglasses and a bandana. 

 “What I love about Austin is that it’s such a dog-friendly city and Panda can be taken basically anywhere,” Minarcin said. “It’s just perfect and Panda is the perfect partner.” 

This is one of the few events Love-A-Bull hosts around Austin. Davis said she looks forward to what the nonprofit has coming next, including a dog Valentine’s Day kissing booth.   

Editor’s note: A previous version of this story misspelled “Chad Minarcin” as “Jasmine Arcin.” The Texan regrets this error.