Local Event; 2018 Pet Expo

Local Event; Pet Expo.

This is more of a rant and I'll include the information from the actual event. I am just very disappointed at what this has turned into.

The even itself was due to be 3 days, however due to weather the weekend days were cancelled, we were able to attend the Friday opening.

I'm sure every place that has an event center hosts a pet expo, or something similar. These events should be geared towards animals of all kinds and be fun. We have been going since my youngest was about 3.

When we first started going the event was housed in just one building and it was so packed that you could hardly walk. They had a petting zoo and lots of animals to touch and learn about.

Last year, 2017 it was amazing! They opened it up to two buildings, when you first walked in you were where they did all the dog shows (Pier Dogs, Police Dog Demo and so forth) they also added a grooming competition. Walking to the next building you went through the petting zoo and farm animals, then when you got into the next building all the booths were there, lined up nicely so that you could walk down the isles and shop, you could also bring your own pets, which was awesome!

This year I had won 4 tickets for the Pet Expo from our local radio station. We had decided to again go on a Friday since it's slower and less people, right after all the kids were home from school. First, the radio station only gave me 2 tickets, my bad for not checking the envelope first, then we get there, walk in as normal, we see the pool for the Pier Dogs and the agility course set up. There is one booth of Western Gear there. We turn to walk down to the petting zoo only to find it's the dog grooming competition. Ok, maybe it's in another part. The second building are booths. The first one we encounter is teeth whitening, next to them is a chiropracter. Why?! What is the point of either of these being at a pet expo! The chiropracter was for humans, not animals, if it were for animals I could understand.

We get in and there are all the booths along with the K9 area for the police dog demo.

Well, ok, we will shop and check out all the rescues. Some of the booths shouldn't be here, gutters?! Essential Oils, most of which are hazardous for animals. A dip booth, yes, chips and dips. I don't get it. When we finally get to the back, still no petting area, a group would come and take pictures for you with animals, they would sell them, we always did it. It was awesome!

Needless to say, we left disappointed. We wasted time and money. Yes, it was nice to see all the rescues and play there fun games (well for the kids) but that's it. The kids were bored as was I.

I do understand that they expo center can't help who signs up and who doesn't, but why the grooming competition? You turned a family fun event into a snobby dog owner event, which is not what it should be.

I'm not sure if we will go next year, or even attempt it based on the disappointment of this year. Here is the list of vendors we encountered and my thoughts;

Vendors that belonged at a Pet Expo.

Rescues;

Akita Rescue and Rehabilitation of WI.

Almost Home Kitty Rescue.

Bailing out Benji.

Brew City Bully Club.

Chesapeake Retriever Rescue of WI. Didn't see them

Fox River Valley Cat Club-Didn't see this one either

Golden Retriever Rescue of WI

Great Pyrenees Rescue-This dogs are huge and fluffy!

Happily Ever After Sanctuary

Helping Paws Pet Sanctuary

Lucky 7 Dog Rescue

Mit Liebe GSD Rescue

Rat Terrier ResQ

Roseberry Bird Rescue

Safe Haven Humane Society & Outreach Center

White Paws German Shepherd

WI German Shorthair Pointer Rescue

WI Humane Society of GB Campus

Pet Services;

Bark Busters Home Dog Training

Got you Six K-9's

K9 Corps Agility

NEW Pet Shop

Sassu Enterprises Pet Therapy

Spunky's Paw Prints

The Puppy Up Foundation

Pet Products;

Annie's Pooch Pops

Color Pet Products

CST Antlers LLC

Dog Watch of NE WI

Doggy Prodigy

Fetch Magazine

Just for Dogs

Karen's K-9 Pet Care

Kumfy Tailz

Lovin' Tails

Pawz.pet

Peppy Puppy Cookie Co

Pet Wants

Premium Dog Toys

Sweeny's Outfitters

Wet Nose Bistro

Wisconsin Vest-A-D0g

Woof N' Wear

Yellow Dog Treats

The following booths/vendors I'm on the fence about if they should be allowed at a pet event;

Appleberry Treasures. This was like a collectors booth. Yes, all their wears were animals but they were pricey and it was almost craft sale then pet expo.

Liberty Mutual-Ok, so pet owners do need insurance and they do need insurance to also protect their pets, but a whole booth?

State Farm Events; Same as above

Lake of the Woods Campground. I get it, but most camp sites allow well behaved leashed pets, so why is this one any different?

NuKleen Products. This one is a cleaning supply type company, so I get with dogs and cats you need to clean up and eliminate odors, but really?

Ambrosius Studios. A photography booth where they were taking pictures of your animals.

Giddy UP Western Wear & Pet Supply

Now in my opinion the following should have been told “No, sorry this is an event for and about animals”

One Medical Center, LLC

A Spice Above

Advanced Beauty

InnovationX

Sherwoods Fabulous Fudge LLC. So maybe this one should have gone up a category.

Silver State Family Publishers

doTERRA Essential Oils

Exterior Custom Solutions

Foxhaven Embroidery

Peaceful Valley General Store

Bay Lakes Eco Water

Central Waters Distributing

Norwex

Bath Fitter

Creative Home Technologies

Cutco Cultery

DeLorey Chiropractic

Floslink

Foundation Chiropractic

Fox Wold Watershed Alliance

Genesis Construction

LeafFilter-These people were really bad and pushy!

Thundraland Home Improvement

US Cellular

Windows of Wisconsin.