For the second year, the Southwestern Ontario Pet Expo at the John D. Bradley Centre in Chatham played host to a variety of furry friends and their human counterparts.
Organizers Connie Beneteau and Mark Gross built on the success of last year’s event with lots of vendors, a lure course to let dogs burn off some energy, rescue groups, entertainment including neat pet tricks, and face painting for kids.
“We definitely have a lot more kids here this year and more for them,” Beneteau said. “People are happy to bring their pets in and have things for their pets to do. This time of year, dogs can’t really get out but they can come here and run to their heart’s content.”
With no similar expo close to Chatham-Kent, the Southwestern Ontario Pet Expo gives pet owners and enthusiasts a place to see new products and engage with other pet lovers.
A big hit this year, was a young kangaroo which was part of the exhibit from Hands on Exotic, an animal shelter in Etobicoke that is home to the four-year-old kangaroo named Jasmine. People were encouraged to pet Jasmine, let a parrot sit on their arm and check out a tortoise.
TJ Stables also had some animals on hand in a petting zoo, and rescues like the Rat Terrier Rescue, an internet-based volunteer rescue that matches smaller dogs with people willing to adopt, had several cute animal friends with them.
Wizard of Paws, a new mobile grooming business, was also on hand, doing nail trimming for participants.
