We cordially invite you to participate in the 2nd annual Derby Dog Festival on Saturday April 26th, 2025 from 10 am – 2 pm, held at the Barren River Lake State Park, Highland Field location – 1149 State Park Road Lucas, KY 42156. Our 2024 event saw approximately 200 people in attendance. This event was not only fun but helped raise $6,000 to benefit the homeless animals of Barren County residing at the Barren River Animal Welfare Association.

To be a part of this fabulous event this year as a Vendor please click here to complete your Application

We cordially invite you to the 15th Annual Shake Your Paw Ball on Saturday June 7th, 2025 from 6 pm – 11 pm, at the Cave Area Conference Center, located at 502 Mammoth Cave St Cave City, KY 42127


Enjoy a fantastic Italian Meal and beverages, cruise through our Silent Auction, mingle with other supporters & animal lovers alike and dance the night away with entertainment by Bazuka Jo 2.0, all while supporting the work that is being done at the Barren River Animal Welfare Association.

This event is our biggest fundraiser of the year and we can’t do what we do without your generous support.
~Proceeds from this event will directly benefit BRAWA~

To be a Sponsor this year for this wonderful event please click here to complete your Application.

Tickets can be purchased by clicking here.

Click here for registration form.

Print and bring it into the shelter.

So many are shopping on Amazon these days. Please list BRAWA – Barren River Animal Welfare Association as your charity of choice, so the animals at BRAWA can receive the benefit from the purchases you make every day. Want to make a much appreciated donation to the shelter, click the link below to see the items we use daily to help us care for the animals.

Thank you for your support!

Is your pet missing or lost?

BRAWA and our partnership with the Petco Love Lost program helps reunite families with their missing or lost companions. Click here to get started.

Barren River Animal Welfare association is proud to announce it received a grant from the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels (HOKC) in the amount of $6050 to purchase a Generac generator that will power the new pump system. The Barren River Animal Welfare Association serves all of Barren County by caring for and rehoming the stray and surrendered animals of our community. HOKC awarded $2.5 million in grants supporting 325 non-profits, impacting more than 3.9 million Kentuckians. Grants are made possible through donations from Kentucky Colonels from throughout the Commonwealth and around the world who chose to exercise the honor of being named a Kentucky Colonel in a meaningful way. According to Commanding General Gary Boschert: “2023 / 2024 was a challenging year for fulfilling Grant Requests, with over $5 million in total requests. We were able to distribute $2.5 million through the Good Works Program that each of you generously supports. Every dollar you contribute to the Good Works Program goes out to nonprofits in the Commonwealth. Together we helped support 3.9 million people this year. Our efforts following the western and eastern Kentucky disasters continue, with limited funds remaining for both regions. Many Trustees just toured eastern Kentucky earlier this month to see firsthand how much need there truly is. The rebuilding in both areas continues and your help is greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your support!”

The Barren River Animal Welfare Association is a partnership of caring community members providing a safe haven for homeless companion animals. We provide animals in need with humane treatment and good homes while working to reduce the population of unwanted pets through spay/neuter programs, education, and outreach.

BRAWA is a non-profit 501 3(c) organization founded in 1991 with the goal of building an animal shelter in Barren County. In July 1996, thanks to the hard work of volunteers and the generosity of individuals, businesses, and local government, the dream became a reality when the original building was completed. Fifteen years later the size of our building has tripled with a new adoption wing for dogs and puppies and spacious condos for cats, an on-site surgery, and a multipurpose room for humane education, obedience classes, and even birthday parties.

BRAWA is an Open Admission Shelter, accepting Barren County animals in need, regardless of their temperament, health, age or breed.

The Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels is a 501(c) (3) entity dedicated to supporting charitable activities throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The organization is governed by an all-volunteer Board of Trustees. The “Kentucky Colonel” commission is an honorary title granted by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Since1951, the organization has pursued its mission through annual grants totaling $68 million to more than 1,700 nonprofits. Of those Colonels’ contributions, each grant is thoroughly vetted by the trustees and staff. Though the corporate name is The Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, most know it by its long-term trademark, KENTUCKY COLONELS.

Visit kycolonels.org to learn more.

Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels

A BIG “shout out” to Kentucky Colonels for the generous grant that will allow us to purchase the

Flood Barrier Door Dam System which will help keep the water out in the event of a future flood.

Keeping the animals safe is our number one priority.




https://www.bissellpetfoundation.org/

“GUARANTEED (Even if Chewed) means we will replace any Lupine brand dog collars, leashes or pet gear that has been accidentally damaged during normal pet-related activities, even chewing!”