Mascota Fest 2026 this Sunday at Best Friends Pets in Bentonville

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Best Friends Animal Society in Bentonville, Ark. will host Mascota Fest 2026: Nuestra Communidad Salva Vida is slated Sunday, October 11 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

The event will take place at the Best Friends Pet Resource Center in Bentonville, where attendees can meet adoptable pets, connect with local Hispanic exhibitors, participate in family-friendly activities, and visit the free Community Pet Pantry for pet food and resources.

The Hispanic Heritage Month initiative recognizes the Hispanic employees, volunteers, adopters, foster families and community members whose contributions help save the lives of pets across the country.

FREE VACCINE/MICROCHIP CLINIC

From 12 to 3 p.m., Best Friends Animal Society will also host a free vaccine and microchip clinic.

The clinic is available by appointment only, and online registration is required.

To register, go to https://bestfriends.org/northwest-arkansas

Note: For those unable to attend on Sunday, a free vaccine and microchip clinic is held from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each Wednesday at Best Friends Pets at 1312 Melissa in Bentonville. Be sure to pre-register in advance.

Additional activities during Mascota Fest 2026 include:

• Meet dogs and cats available for adoption, with all pet adoption fees waived through October 15 in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month

• Visit the free Community Pet Pantry for pet food

• Meet local Hispanic exhibitors

• Make enrichment toys for pets

• Read to adoptable cats in the free-roaming cat rooms

• Walk beginner-friendly dogs along a trail behind the center

• Learn about the Dog Day Out program, which allows community members to take an adoptable dog on an adventure away from the center for the day

• Check out the center's newly installed Little Free Library

• Learn about volunteering, fostering, adoption and other ways to support lifesaving work in Northwest Arkansas

The public is invited.