Families and their furry friends will have a chance to get together for some fun at the Delta Community Animal Expo on Sunday in Ladner. The fourth edition of the event, put on by the Delta Community Animal Shelter, takes place at Memorial Park. The expo will be bigger than last year's version, notes shelter manager Sarah Lowe.
"There's so much happening," she says. In addition to almost double the number of exhibitors (from 30 to around 55), the shelter is also introducing the Tollie Fund Activity Arena. Pet owners are welcome to enter their dogs in activities for a small fee.
Entry fees go to the shelter's Tollie Fund, money "used to aid in improving the lives of the animals (to reduce stress) while they are living in the shelter and to provide medical care so an animal that requires a little more help can have a chance at adoption," the shelter's website states.
The fund, originally set up in 2008 to help raise money for Tollie, then a puppy that needed expensive knee surgery, has helped numerous animals over the years. Last year the fund helped 18 animals with veterinary bills totaling over $10,000.
Arena events include dog yoga, musical mats, a relay race and more. The arena is sponsored by Bosley's so every dog that takes part gets a prize of some sort, Lowe notes.
Demonstrations run throughout the day at the expo's show stage. Among them will be a pet first aid class, dog bite prevention for kids and adults, and a free dog training class from Amber Cottle.
One highlight will be the conclusion of a pet looka-like contest. Entries were submitted to the shelter's Facebook page and the top three (determined by most likes on Facebook) will be judged on the show stage at 3: 30 p.m.
There will be plenty of food at the event, Lowe adds. Options include hotdogs from a stand hosted by Pets-N-Us, Bombay Joe's fare, cupcakes (along with decorating for the children or kid at heart) by FrostBite Cupcakes and Candy Company, and ice cream.
Delta Community Animal Shelter's Delta Community Animal Expo takes place Sunday, Aug. 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Memorial Park, 501047th Ave. Admission is free.
The expo is on the same day as the Ladner Village Market.
"If you're coming out to that, just walk a couple more blocks and come by," says Lowe.
For more information visit www.deltacommunityanimalshelter.ca.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Show Stage
Pacific Assistance Dogs Society 10: 15 - 10: 45 a.m.
Canadian Disaster Response Team 11 - 11: 45 a.m.
Be a Tree (dog bite prevention) 12: 05 - 12: 45 p.m.
Paws2Dance 1 - 2 p.m.
OWL Amber Cottle (free dog training class) Pet Look-a-Like Contest 2 - 2: 30 p.m. 2: 30 - 3 p.m. 3: 30 - 3: 40 p.m.
Tollie Fund Raffle Draw & Passport draw 3: 45 - 4 p.m.
TOLLIE FUND ACTIVITY ARENA
DOGA with Shanti Yoga ($2) 10: 30 - 11: 15 a.m.
Musical Mats ($2) 11: 30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Lunch demonstration Don't Drop My Ball! ($2) 12: 15 - 1: 30 p.m. 1: 45 - 2: 15 p.m.
Thirsty Dog Relay Race ($2) Ring Around the Doggy ($2) 2: 30 - 3 p.m. 3: 15 - 3: 45 p.m.
