Pet owners and pets welcome at fourth annual Pet Expo
Laureen F. Guenther
Times Contributor
Pet owners and pets are invited to the 2013 Pet Expo, February 9, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Civic Centre on Brent Blvd. Visitors are encouraged to bring a donation for Strathmore Food Bank or Happy Cat Sanctuary. Humans are admitted free; pets require only current vaccination records. The first 100 people will receive a bag of pet-related goodies.
Expo organizer Melissa David, dog groomer and owner of Quality Canine Center, says this year’s 30-plus exhibits include returning favorites like Doggie Duds, Cheddar Dogs and local veterinary clinics. New displays include cat-related items, “homemade cat houses, Happy Cat Sanctuary and more cat treats (and) toys.” The Canadian Hopping Club will provide hopping demonstrations all day. Organizers added a showcase stage, where pet owners can “Ask a Veterinarian,” learn Basic Grooming Instructions and view other presentations.
“The Quality Canine Center will have their doggy treadmill,” David said. There’ll also be “handmade doggy clothes, custom pet tags, rescue groups and Eccentric Equine with bling horse accessories.” Visitors can meet dog walkers, trainers, groomers and kennel owners, and purchase pet keepsakes, blankets and supplies.
Prospective pet owners can also learn what they need to know at Pet Expo. Erin Coburn of Beagle Paws, a beagle rescue agency, said, “A lot of people think you have to go to either a breeder…or the humane society (to acquire a pet).” The Expo lets “people know that there are 15-20 other rescue (agencies)…in the Calgary and southern Alberta area.”
Pet owners enjoy the Pet Expo because it lets them see many pet-related services all in one place. “You don’t always know what’s available,” Coburn said. “You can…find something (at the Expo) that you didn’t know was out there.”
Bonnie Muir, owner of Doggie Duds, dogs’ custom-fit and ready-made clothes, emphasizes all services and products are local. “For a small town we really do have a lot to offer the pet and pet owner.”
Many exhibitors host draws, provide information and give out samples. Muir of Doggie Duds makes a donation. “For every $20 worth of merchandise sold at my table, I will donate $2 to The Animal Care Centre of Strathmore,” she said. She chose the Animal Care Centre because of the “unbelievable” support the clinic gave her family when they had an emergency with their own dog.
Some exhibitors bring in live animals to interact with visitors. Dr. Woodward says, last year, the Care Centre brought in a “sweet golden retriever as a volunteer ‘patient’ that let attendees listen to her heart with one of our stethoscopes.” Their booth also has packages of treats, toys and health-care information for both dogs and cats.
At Beagle Paws’ booth, visitors can pet beagles available for adoption. Coburn hopes visitors will see that beagles are “friendly, loving sociable…extremely smart, good for an active family.” In fact, she says, “it would be wonderful to have a dog adopted” at the Expo.
Dr. Woodward says, “We would love to see more pets out with their owners this year.” For everyone who owns a pet, is a pet, or wants a pet, Pet Expo has a lot to enjoy.
See strathmoreexpos.com or call (403) 923-8983 for more information.