The Fifth Annual Barktoberfest Benefit for homeless pets of Oakdale and Riverbank is on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Join the animal lovers of Oakdale and Riverbank for beverages, appetizers, live music, silent auction, and much more. Support the homeless animals at the Oakdale Animal Shelter in a beautiful garden setting at a private Riverbank residence. Donations in any amount will be accepted at the door. For location details, call Betsie Corwin at 209 543-5434, or email efcorwin@sbcglobal.com.

Oakdale Shelter Pet Alliance is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to saving and improving lives of the animals at the Oakdale Animal Shelter, 9800 Liberini Ave., Oakdale. Money raised is used for health supplies, veterinary expenses, shelter improvement projects, and spay neuter voucher programs. More details about upcoming projects will be unveiled at Barktoberfest.

An example of a previous project is the remodeled cat adoption room during the summer of 2013. The shelter now has a cozy place for adoptable kitties to reside and to meet with potential adopters. This has increased the number of cats adopted.

Installed in fall 2011, new indoor dog kennels funded by Oakdale Shelter Pet Alliance provide safer, easier to clean living quarters, and help reduce stress for the canine residents.

The Spay Neuter Voucher Program ,started in August 2011, has helped get over 650 cats and dogs fixed for qualified low income pet owners in the cities of Oakdale and Riverbank, and continues to expand each month.

The half-acre dog exercise yard, completed November 2010, is a safe and quiet place for people and pets to get acquainted. There is plenty of room to throw a ball, and the fenced yard provides a secure place to start basic training skills.

Founded October 2004 by Oakdale shelter volunteers, OSPA continues to support the City of Oakdale Animal Shelter serving the cities of Oakdale and Riverbank.