Phoenix Pet Expo

April 20, 2013 at the University of Phoenix Stadium. Free admission & parking *INDOORS* PETS WELCOME! www.PhoenixPetExpo.com

Pet lovers in the Phoenix area should get their four-legged friends ready for the third annual Phoenix Pet Expo, Saturday, April 20, 2013, at the 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! In 2011, more than 14,000 people - and their pets - spent the day at the expo.

From 10 AM to 6 PM, the expo will be packed with more than 200 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, this an event you won’t want to miss!

Shorty Rossi, star of ‘Pit Boss’ on Animal Planet will be making an appearance with his popular canine sidekick, Hercules. Rossi has a special passion that has been a major part of his life since he was a teenager – championing the cause of pit bulls. When Rossi isn’t managing Shortywood Productions, a company that works with little people in the entertainment industry or filming ‘Pit Boss,’ he’s working with Shorty’s Pit Bull Rescue, a charity he formed that rescues, rehabilitates and places neglected and abused pit bulls in loving, nurturing homes. Shorty’s Rescue is not a shelter or a charity; its employees work tirelessly to help relieve the suffering of and prevent cruelty to pit bulls through education and activism.

Celebrity Pet Expert Harrison Forbes will also attend the expo as part of the Toyota Pet Safety Tour. Forbes’ 20 year career as a dog trainer, animal behaviorist and best-selling author has propelled him into the spotlight as a highly sought-after pet expert. His extensive career in dog training has propelled Forbes into becoming the “go-to” guy for national pet stories, appearing on “Larry King Live” discussing the Michael Vick case, as the resident pet expert on “Live with Regis and Kelly,” and appearing on the Fox News Network, CNN, CBS "The Early Show,” and “The Today Show” on NBC. Having been involved in the training and importing of over 700 police service dogs, Harrison has also been called upon to train dogs for films in Hollywood, including Francis Ford Coppola’s film “The Rainmaker.”

Because the Phoenix Pet Expo is also designed to promote responsible pet ownership, a major highlight of the day will be a mega-adoption event hosted by Petfinders. Courtney Rydstrom, show production manager for the expo explains, “The Petfinder mega-adoption event is a very popular part of this expo. 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.”

In addition, the Phoenix Pet Expo will serve as the kick-off to Spay/Neuter Week. In addition to activities designed to educate pet lovers about the pet over-population problem, there will be a mobile spay/neuter van at the event and pet owners can make appointments for their pet’s free spay or neuter.

If it’s entertainment or live demonstrations that you’re interested in, you’ll have ample opportunity to watch – and take part in – the day’s events. You can sign your pet friend up to participate in several competitions, such as the ever-popular costume contest, Splash Dogs, Doxie Derbies, talent contest or pet/owner musical chairs.

The entertainment stage will be a source of activity all day, whether pet lovers would like to learn about topics such as choosing the best pet for their family and basic grooming or get the heebie jeebies from creepy crawly and reptile presentations, everyone will find something they can enjoy.

Just one of the many aspects that people enjoy about the entertainment stage are the opportunities they have to learn about how animals are working in their communities. For instance, urban search and rescue dogs will demonstrate how their teams work in action. Dog teams have a very special role in the world of search & rescue, as they’ve proved to be invaluable in the effort to locate missing, lost and injured persons. These dogs are trained to search collapsed buildings and other structures after tornadoes, earthquakes and other natural or man-made disasters. Come learn more about these amazing heroes who served an integral role in disasters like 9/11, the 2010 earthquake in Haiti and Hurricane Katrina.

Dog owners can also let their water-loving pets 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 also attracts a large following from those 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.

Plus Dachshund owners can let their wiener dogs compete in the Doxie Derbies, which are coordinated by Dachshunds Only Rescue. “The Doxie Derbies are so silly! To see these little short-legged dogs run everywhere BUT the finish line always has us laughing. They run their little hearts out, though!” Rydstrom continues.

Rydstrom adds, “A lot of people don’t realize all of the pet-friendly resources available to them in their communities and our goal is to help get that information out there. It’s a fun-filled day for pet owners - or those who’d one day like to be!”

Of course, all 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? Don’t worry! Discounted vaccinations and low-cost microchipping will be available all day, provided by the professionals from VETCO. You can even take advantage of free nail trims!

The Phoenix Pet Expo is organized by Amazing Pet Expos, which currently produces more than 15 pet expos around the country; all of them indoors and free to the general public.

Become a Fan (or "Like" the page) of the Phoenix Pet Expo for updates, networking, and to participate in discussions!

www.phoenixpetexpo.com