Calling all pet lovers.
The inaugural Lee County Pet Expo will be held Saturday, June 5, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Lee Civic Center.
According to organizer Angel Coates, the Lee County Pet Expo will bring together pet rescues and pet services of all types in one large event. Cats, dogs, birds and reptiles will all be available for adoption/purchase at the expo.
“We will be having some pets there, most importantly we will be there for awareness sake,” said Animal Refuge Center Development Director Carlos Navedo. “We want to make people aware of what we do, and if anyone is wanting to adopt, we want them to know to come to our shelter.”
ARC is located right behind the Civic Center. “Anyone can also come over and look at some of the over 400 beautiful animals we have,” he said.
ARC will be joined by Lee County Animal Services, P.A.W.S of Lee County, the Gulf Coast Humane Society and other non-profit/rescue agencies.
One local pet adoption success story is the one of Pebbles, who was adopted over a year ago from the Gulfcoast Humane Society. She was only 1 month old, the smallest at the shelter, and fit into the palm of her new owner’s hand. She now has a great family life in North Fort Myers, even sporting her own “boat” (of the plastic, floating kind) in the pool.
Coates runs Angel’s Creations, and has done public relations and event coordination in the past. “I’ve always wanted to go to an event where all of these pets — dogs, cats, birds and reptiles — would all be under one roof.”
She researched several sites and chose the Lee Civic Center as a central venue.
“This is really an event for pet lovers in general,” she said.
“We’ll have a parrot rescue group as well, and a pet psychic and photographer will be there.”
Vendors, besides pet photography, will include those who sell invisible pet fencing, pet boarding, pet training, pet clothes, accessories, with veterinarian services represented and more.
“The well-known Bruce Shwedick of Reptile Discovery will be present with his reptiles, including his famous Banana Boy, the 15-1/2-foot Asia rock python. You can get your picture taken with Banana Boy after his performances,” said Coates.
The Dog Obedience Club of Lee County will conduct an obedience demonstration with an agility course. “Vickie Emanuele, the Pet Psychic from KIX Country 92.9 FM, will also be available to give readings to participants that bring in a photo of their pet. We’ll also have face painting, food, animal-themed storytelling, and other activities.”
The Lee Civic Center is at 11831 Bayshore Rd. For information go to angels-expos.com or E-mail leepetexpo@yahoo.com.