The Bay Area Pet Fair & Adoptathon, a free, two-day adoption event featuring pet products, entertainment, pet foods, education, and information for Bay Area pets and their people, returns to the grounds of the Marin Center on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 13 and 14, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event includes more than 100 exhibitors offering products, services, resources, and education for indoor pets of all kinds from dogs and cats to rabbits, birds and guinea pigs, but the main focus is finding forever homes for shelter and rescue animals.
Last year’s event produced an astounding 400 adoptions, and this year the organizers, Pet Food Express, have set an even loftier goal of 500 adoptions. They count all adoptions that originate at the pet fair, even if they are finalized in the following week. Adoptions often require follow-up not only to prevent impulse decisions, but also because some rescue groups do home checks, and the folks at Pet Food Express not only want 500 adoptions, they want 500 adoptions done right.
Mike Murray knows a thing or two about that. Besides his job as director of community relations for Pet Food Express, Murray also serves as chairperson of Golden State German Shepherd Rescue and over the years has personally fostered and found homes for hundreds of deserving animals. “To be part of helping a homeless animal find that lifelong loving and caring home is one of life’s most wonderful feelings,” Murray says.
Thousands of people are expected to attend the free pet fair. “A big event like this provides huge exposure for our dogs,” says Rocket Dog Rescue founder Pali Boucher.
Pet Food Express co-owner Michael Levy is happy to be able to provide rescues and shelters with that large stage. “Fortunately the Bay Area has a large and very dedicated pet rescue and adoption community, and it is our pleasure to provide the Bay Area Pet Fair as a venue and a funding resource to help them toward the goal of finding homes for all the adoptable pets in our neighbor-
hoods,” Levy says.
The pet fair will feature:
- Regional adoption and rescue organizations with adoptable pets for attendees to meet.
- A Kid’s Pavilion — an area where kids can have fun while receiving valuable education about companion animals.
- Demonstrations and performance sports such as agility, Schutz-hund, K-9 police dogs, Frisbee dogs, nose work, etc.
- Expert talks and demonstrations on important topics like pet nutrition, health, training, behavior, etc.
- Entertainment and games in the Performance Arena
2012 Bay Area Pet Fair & Adoptathon: Marin Center grounds, 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael, Saturday–Sunday, Oct. 13–14, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., free, well-behaved dogs on a 6-foot maximum leash welcome, www.bayareapetfair.org
