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If you are interested in adopting a pet, America’s Family Pet Expo at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa, April 4, 5 and 6, is a great place to start your search. At this giant nonprofit event there are over 1,000 animals of almost any kind in stage shows, demonstrations and competitions. One of its most popular attractions is the Pet Adoption Fair which has representatives from two dozen animal shelters and rescue groups showing some of the quality pets that need new homes. Each year over 300 animals are adopted at this popular Southern California event. Mostly they are dogs and cats, but there are also rabbits, guinea pigs and reptiles available. Many people shun adopting a “pre-owned” pet because they feel that they must have been bad animals because their owners gave them away, but that is not usually the case. Most often the pet ends up in the shelter because of such circumstances as divorce, moving, death, lack of money or the wrong home situation, or because they are lost. Most shelters and qualified rescue groups go to great lengths to check out a pet before putting it up for adoption. When it comes in, they take its history, check for micro chips, collar and tag, and put a digital photo on a website. A medical team then examines the animal’s physical condition. If findings dictate, the animal is treated and it is always vaccinated, even if it has already had shots. If it has a contagious disease, it is isolated. A cat is monitored to determine if it is a feral cat or a pet by keeping a log of the animal’s health and behavior. Many shelters and rescue groups also have a behavior assessment team, some certified by the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, who determine what the dog knows, e.g. sit and stay commands, what environment it is used to and what behaviors might need modification. So, in reality, if you get a pet through a shelter, a qualified rescue group or at the Pet Expo’s Pet Adoption Fair, you are very likely to become the owner of a quality animal which will bring much joy to you and your family. America’s Family Pet Expo is sponsored by World Wide Pet Supply Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting responsible pet ownership. It’s the world’s largest pet and pet product expo. In addition to the Pet Adoption Fair, visitors to this event will enjoy animal stage shows, such as Valentine’s Performing Pigs, Zoolapalooza Wild Animal Show(to demonstrate why wild animals do not make good pets), Hennigan’s Spinning Frisbee K-9’s sponsored by Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Michael Pariseau’s Fabulous Friesian Horses, Eukanuba Elite Team and CFA Cat Show sponsored by IAMS, Science Safari Bug Show, K-9 Kings sponsored by Precise Pet Products, and Parade of Dog Breeds. Presenting sponsor is The Orange County Register. Additional sponsors currently include All Glass Aquarium, AT&T Wireless, Canidae Pet Foods, Eukanuba, Grand Pacific Resorts, Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc., The IAMS Company, Longs, Nestle Purina Pet Care Company, Pet Care Trust, Petco Animal Supplies, PIJAC, Precise Pet Products, Python Products, Ralphs, Subway, and Trendwest Resorts. Orange County Fairgrounds is located at 88 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa. Take the 405 Freeway to Fairview exit, or the 5 Freeway to the 55 Freeway to Del Mar/Fair exit.
Hours are Friday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Free parking. Admission is $8.00 for full price adult tickets. Senior discounted ticket for 60 and older with I.D. is $6.00. Children 6 to 12 years are $3.00. Children five and under are free.
Get discount coupons at participating Subway, Longs, AT&T Wireless, veterinary offices, pet stores and online. Also, register online for an chance to win free tickets and to purchase tickets in advance. Visit www.petexpooc.com or phone (800) 999-7295.
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