If your family has been considering adding another member to your pack, you'll want to clear your calendar the weekend of Sept. 21-23 for the ninth annual All American Pet Expo at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi.
A must-visit for a family of animal lovers, the event holds seminars, pet-supply shopping, contests for pets and their owners, and a weekend-long pet adoption drive.
Every year, the Pet Expo partners with a variety of humane and adoption societies around the region to organize their Mega Pet Adoption portion of the event. Through their efforts, the Expo hopes to encourage those looking for a pet to consider adopting a dog or cat who needs a caring home.
As part of the opening ceremonies of the expo, there will be a pet parade Friday morning around the parking lot – starting at 10:30 a.m. All pets walking (or carried) in the parade will receive their own Pet Expo Adoption Walk bandana.
Popular events at the Expo are the dog performances and competitions, including the Rock and Roll K9s (trained dogs competing on agility courses), and the Ultimate Air Dogs, an exciting event where dogs take running leaps off a dock after a toy and land with a splash into a pool.
Keep an eye out for the alpaca petting zoo – a bird event showcasing exotic species such as parrots, a display of over 50 reptiles – and a special area for small critters like rabbits brought in by the 4H organization.
4H will also be hosting activities and events for kids including wax-hand making and face painting. A bounce house and a pony ride will also be available for children to enjoy.
Specialized informational seminars for niche pet communities will be given throughout the weekend. Showcases of cats, birds, reptiles and horses will host experts speaking on the species history and origins, care tips and how to choose a good pet of each type of animal.
Expo times are as follows:
- Friday: 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Saturday: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Sunday: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Note: that due to the expected large crowds on Saturday and Sunday, the Expo allows attendees to bring their own pets on Friday only.
See the Metro Parent listing for more on the All American Pet Expo at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi.
