More treats than tricks at Don CeSar Howl-O-Ween

ST. PETERSBURG (FOX 13) - The Don is going to the dogs this Halloween, all for a good cause. Thursday’s Howl-O-Ween Doggie Costume Contest and Bark Bash to benefit the Humane Society of Pinellas County.

Loews Don CeSar Hotel, on St. Pete Beach is already pet-friendly, but it was overtaken Thursday by Dark Vader, Alice in Wonderland, Biker Dog, The American Labar-gator and Dapper Dog - plus tricks and puppy treats.

This was the 4th Annual Howl-O-Ween Doggie Costume Contest and welcomed pets of all sizes and types. There were doggie massages and pet-friendly foods, too. 

“We recently moved to Florida, so we really wanted to do a costume that really represented Florida, so I thought, ‘what better than an alligator?’” Karen Debruler of Wesley Chapel explained.

“Third year we come out to do this. The dogs really enjoy it, and we like dressing them up for Halloween, and plus, it's for a good cause, being the Humane Society,” Michael Price of St. Petersburg said.

Sharon Boyes from the Humane Society of Pinellas said the organization is funded 100-percent through donations, so the event is critical for its mission. Boyes said all of the funds raised locally, stay local.

"To me, it's a great win-win, cause any time we can take the dogs out to an establishment like this and help support something at the same time - that's what it's really all about, it's more about the charity," Price said.