The Mark Twain House & Museum and Kenway's Cause Animal Rescue Announce 10th Annual Bark Twain Bash...It's the Cat's Meow on September 13
Fundraising Event to Honor Excellence in Animal Rescue, K9 Law Enforcement, and the Arts
August 6, 2025/Hartford, CT | Kenway's Cause Animal Rescue and The Mark Twain House & Museum have announced the 10th Annual Bark Twain Bash...It's the Cat's Meow joint fundraising event will be held at the museum (351 Farmington Avenue in Hartford, CT) on Saturday, September 13 at 5:30pm. This fun, festive and furry evening honors individuals and organizations working in animal rescue, K9 law enforcement, animal control, and animal-related arts and activism.
The Bark Twain Bash, co-hosted by WFSB's Renee DiNino (Hello Connecticut) and playwright Jacques Lamarre, features delicious food from sponsor RastaRant, a cash bar, vendors, a silent auction, and many surprises. Additional support for this event is provided by Beloved Companions and Pawz at Peace, LLC.
The 2025 Bark Twain Award honorees that will be celebrated on September 13 include:
Officer Neal Cavanaugh and K9 Soleil of the Glastonbury Police Department
Animal Control Officer Kris Judd, East Hartford Police Department
Kristen Peralta of Vintage Pet Rescue
Author, artist and activist Cynthia Von Buhler
Co-host Jacques Lamarre states, "Mark Twain's love of animals and support for animal rights has made this event a perfect collaboration with Kenway's Cause. Our goal with The Bark Twain Bash...It's the Cat's Meow is to raise money for the home where Twain lived with so many of his family's beloved pets and Kenway's commitment to provide care and good homes for unsheltered and injured animals in Hartford."
Co-host Renee DiNino states, "I love the opportunity to spotlight and celebrate the great people working with animals in our community. Over the past nine years, we have honored so many great animal advocates and this year will be no different. Best of all, it's an awesome party!"
Tickets for The Bark Twain Bash...It's the Cat's Meow are $40 with proceeds split evenly between the museum and Kenway's Cause. Well-behaved pets are allowed at this event, but please note there will be several service animal on hand and any furry guests are expected to behave gently with all guests. This event sells out, so reserving tickets in advance is a must. To purchase tickets, visit MarkTwainHouse.org/Events/.
About Kenway's Cause Animal Rescue
Kenway’s Cause is a 501c3 non profit organization who focuses solely on animal welfare in the city of Hartford, CT. We work closely with animal control and will intervene to provide medical care when an injured stray is picked up. As the city does not provide immediate medical attention and treatment, the only option prior to the existence of Kenway’s Cause was to euthanize the animals. Since our inception we have paid for emergency surgeries, x-rays, ultrasounds, and various tests and forms of treatment.
Kenway’s Cause also provides support to adoptive families and rescue organizations should a dog adopted from the City of Hartford Animal Shelter have a pre-existing medical condition or behavioral issues. Our goal is to provide financial relief to help with treatment and/or rehabilitation. Kenway's works with pet owners in the City of Hartford who are struggling financially to care for their pets. We can provide everything from basic supplies such as food and toys, to medical assistance, and help getting their pets vaccinated and spayed/neutered. Kenway’s Cause is determined to do all we can for the animals.
About The Mark Twain House & Museum
The Mark Twain House & Museum is the restored Hartford, Connecticut home where American author Samuel Clemens -- Mark Twain -- and his family lived from 1874 to 1891. Twain wrote his most important works, including Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, during the years he lived there. The museum offers tours of the restored Mark Twain House, along with a variety of programs that celebrate and promote Twain’s literary legacy.