Phoenix Pet Expo - May 7 - courtesy Amazing Pet Expos

Phoenix, AZ – Pet lovers in the Phoenix area should get their four-legged friends ready for the 2011 Phoenix Pet Expo, Saturday, May 7, at University of Phoenix Stadium. This free indoor event attracts thousands of pet lovers looking to enjoy a day out with their furry, feathered or reptilian pals! Last year, more than 12,000 people – and their pets – spent the day at the expo.

from the Phoenix Pet Expo press releases

From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m, the expo will be packed with more then 275 local and nationally-recognized veterinarians, groomers, trainers, retailers and organizations primarily geared towards pet lovers. Whether you’d like to learn, shop, play or adopt, you won’t to miss this event!

Because the Phoenix Pet Expo is also designed to promote responsible pet ownership, the highlight of the day will be a mega-adoption event. If you’re looking to add a new member to your family, more than 500 pets will be available for adoption, along with information from dozens of local rescue groups and shelters. It’s wonderful to see a pet connect with their new forever home.

If it’s entertainment or live demonstrations that you’re interested in, you can sign your pet friend up to participate in several competitions, such as the ever-popular costume contest, talent contest or fashion show. Information about obedience training, pet behavior, nutrition, activism, and more will be presented all day on the entertainment stages.

Dog owners can also sign their up pets to fly with Splash Dogs at the expo, a nationally-recognized dog enthusiast company that organizes and promotes dock jumping events.

The expo’s agility course attracts a large following who enjoy watching handlers race their dogs through an obstacle course. The handler’s controls are limited to voice, movement, and various body signals, requiring exceptional training of the animal and coordination of the handler.

Other activities include fly ball races with Phoenix Fuzion and Phoenix Hot Pawsuit and performances by Arizona Canine Musical Freestylers.

Of course, pets are welcome to attend the event, provided that they are on a fixed lead and have proof of age-appropriate current vaccinations. Not up to date on vaccinations? Not to worry, there will be discounted vaccinations and low-cost microchipping available. You can even take advantage of free nail trims.

The Phoenix Expo is organized by Amazing Pet Expos, which currently produces more than a dozen pet expos around the country; all of them indoors and free to the general public.

What: 2011 Phoenix Pet Expo

Where: Indoors (and air-conditioned!) at University of Phoenix Stadium

When: Saturday, May 7, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Free admission and free parking

Pet Expo tips for you and your animal:

No doubt about it, these expos are CROWDED. As with any event that attracts large crowds, people who prepare for it tend to have a much better experience. With that being said, here are some tips to help ensure that guests have the best day possible at the show:

1. Only bring your pet along if it is well-behaved, non-aggressive and doesn’t get stressed out in crowded, stimulating and noisy situations. There are all kinds of other animals, small children, wheelchairs and lots of people at the event. Your pet will be exposed to dogs barking, people speaking loudly on microphones, crowds clapping and attendees cheering. You know your pet best, so please use your best judgment to make sure that your pet will enjoy the expo just as much as you will.

2. Pet rules: Your pet must be current on all shots or you should plan to have your pet’s immunizations updated at the event; low-cost vaccinations and microchipping are offered on-site. The immunization requirement only applies to dogs, cats and ferrets. A rabies tag is acceptable as proof of immunization, as are blood titer results for those pet owners who don’t immunize annually. Dogs must be on a fixed lead or a locked retractible lead, no longer than 6 feet, at all times. You’ll be required to sign a pet waiver at the entrance, but you can avoid the line by visiting the Phoenix Pet Expo website to fill your pet waiver form out in advance.

3. Once inside, stop by the prize entry table to register for awesome giveaways and prizes from over 250 exhibitors. Does your pet have an amazing talent or enjoy being the center of attention? Make sure to enter them in the pet talent and costume contests. These popular events (and the great winning prize packages) draw a large crowd.

4. Bring cash. There are many opportunities for shopping and donations and some rescue groups may not accept credit cards. An ATM on site.

5. Phoenix Pet Expo program includes all the vendor names and locations, a map of the show floor, as well as the full schedule of events and activities at the expo. Pick up your copy at the entrance.

6. If interested in adopting a pet, the Mega-Adoption area could be just what you’re looking for, plus the majority of rescue groups have pets in their booths too. Hundreds of pets will be available for adoption or application (for those groups that don’t do on-site adoptions).

7. High traffic events for the day will be Splash Dogs, the agility, flyball and activity courses, as well as the entertainment stage. You may want to take a moment, either before the event by looking online, or once you arrive, to review the show program so that you have a general idea of how you want to spend your time.

8. Take note of the pet-potty areas located both indoors and out. While we do have pet clean-up teams at the event, please be kind and pick up after your pet.

9. Pet water stations be will scattered throughout the expo so that your excited companion doesn’t get dehydrated. These are communal bowls, so if you have a puppy, please keep it safe and bring a travel or disposable bowl for their use.

10. University of Phoenix Stadium is a HUGE venue and the Phoenix Pet Expo takes up more than 128,000 square feet of space. Further, the walk from the parking lot into the stadium and to the event takes 10 to 15 minutes. If you have a pet breed with you that can’t tolerate this kind of exertion (for example, English Bulldogs), please plan to bring a stroller or wagon for them. While the event is indoors and air-conditioned, it’s a lot of exercise for breeds that don’t handle heat or exercise well.

11. Pace yourself! It’s a long day and there are many things to see. Make sure you take periodic breaks and give your pet a chance to rest – or step out of the expo for a few moments of quiet – if you plan to stay all day.

12. Many exhibitors offer some sort of treat for pets. If your pet has a sensitive stomach or is super excited, you may want to consider allowing your pet one or two treats and then allowing her/him to enjoy the rest at home. We see a lot of dogs gobble up as many treats as possible only to – ahem – vomit a few hours later.

13. If you have a small or tiny dog, you may want to be prepared to either carry it or have a stroller available. There are so many large and super large dogs at the expos that some small pet owners feel overwhelmed and their little fur-babies may unintentionally get stepped on.

14. If you are attending the expo with the intent of adopting a new family member, you may want to either bring a crate or some sort of car restraint or be prepared to purchase something along those lines at the show. We often have people ask us at the show if we have any boxes or crates that they can have/borrow. We don’t and cage/pet carriers may sell out. So either bring one with you or plan to arrive extra early so that you can make sure that a pet restraint is available for purchase.