The 3rd Annual Free Pet Emergency Preparedness Fair will be held this Saturday, Feb. 25, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Clover Park in Santa Monica.
The event is being hosted by the City of Santa Monica Office of Emergency Management Division; The American Red Cross of Santa Monica, Los Angeles Region; and the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (spcLA).
The event will offer a variety of events and activities for every type of pet and pet lover. Free identification micro-chipping of dogs, cats, and exotic pets will be available to the first 125 people who register at the fair. Low-cost pet vaccinations will also be available.
Dog training demonstrations, pet disaster preparedness tips, pet contests with prizes, and animals available for adoption will all be at this pet-centric event. Both animals and their human counterparts will provide entertainment. A wide range of human and pet emergency supplies will be available for purchase.
Humans and their pets are all welcome. Cats, rabbits, and other exotic pets such as turtles, iguanas, lizards, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and others must be in pet carriers. Dogs must be leashed. The public is requested to not bring pets in cardboard boxes, milk crates, or other improvised containers.
The highlight of the fair will be a pet contest for the pet(s) that most resembles their owner, largest, most unusual, smallest, most obedient, and most talented.
Actress Christina Moore will be “Mistress of Ceremonies.” A number of animal experts including Karen “Doc” Halligan, DVM, and other celebrity pet owners will be available to offer advice for keeping pets healthy and happy.
Fair-goers will see the first public emergency pet fair demonstration of BARKCODE®, a revolutionary new, affordable, nickel-sized, collar tag identification system that can be scanned with cell phones, tablets, or other mobile devices to connect a lost or injured pet to its owner or caretaker. Other fair sponsors and exhibitors will be on hand with free samples, literature, news about products, services, and general pet care
All events will be held at Clover Park, 2600 Ocean Park Boulevard (at 25th Street) in Santa Monica, rain or shine.
Free parking is available near Clover Park — look for directional signs. Although the Pet Emergency Preparedness Fair is a free event, food and beverages from some of the regions most popular food trucks will be available for purchase onsite.
For more information, visit www.smgov.net/oem or call the City of Santa Monica, Office of Emergency Management at 310.458.2263 during regular business hours or email paul.weinberg@smgov.net.
