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Pet Expo 2001:
Observations and Thoughts
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Where can you experience the beseeching barks of dogs, the plaintive meows of cats, the earthy smells of horses, llamas, alpacas, goats, pigs, guinea pigs and rats, the brilliant plumage of parrots, the stillness of snakes and lizards, and the iridescent colors of tropical fish? Only at Cal Expo's 2001 Pet Expo, of course!
Spread out over five buildings plus barns and an arena, it was almost impossible to see it all, but many tried. In addition to the animals, there were booths selling equipment, toys, advice, food, furniture, and jewelry. Agility demonstrations and horse shows, cat shows and a have-your-photograph-taken-with-a-baby-tiger booth; there was something for every interest.
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John Bennett showing off Folsom Felines looking for homes
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Many rescue groups for specific breeds were in attendance: Akitas, Borzois, Mastiffs, Collies and Shelties, Dalmatians, and those sweet, mellow, ex-racing Greyhounds. Exhibits of specific breeds were also there: German Shepherds, Norwegian Elkhounds, and a Japanese breed that looked like foxes with their red coat, sharp little muzzles, and upright ears.
Missing were ferrets as California remains one of only two states in the union to outlaw ownership of them. However, ferret food, cages, equipment, toys, trivets, mugs, and books were much on display. One mug had a photograph of a pair of ferrets on their hind legs, dressed in cowboy hats and gun belts. Their little arms were poised as if ready to draw their weapons. (How did they get them to pose for that?)
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The entire upstairs of one building was just for local animal control agencies, SPCAs, and other canine and feline rescue groups. There were a heartbreaking number of adult dogs and cats up for adoption, not to mention all the puppies and kittens.
We watched the water in the cats' dishes, shiver and shake like a scene right out of Jurassic Park from the stomp of many feet on the concrete floors. We tried to make ourselves heard to prospective adopters over the echo of barks and other conversations against the metal walls. We gently directed couples with toddlers away from young kittens. We steered people to other booths if they had a specific request: a calico, female kitten with "lots of white," a Siamese, a younger kitten than three months - if we had happened to see what they wanted at other booths.
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Look at the cute kittens! They all got adopted during the Pet Expo -- could anyone have been surprised?
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One couple had three black and white cats - and didn't understand why they liked them so much. I said, "Really, it's okay. Did you know they make Tuxedo Cats calendars? And, whew, aren't we all glad no one calls them 'Penguins'?"
One couple lost their 20-year old and almost 18-year old cats within a week. Their seven-year old male was lonely and bewildered. They considered our painfully shy, beautiful calico, Sela . . .
(Continued on page 8)
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