WHO IS GOING TO THE PET EXPO?

murphf

Ok so its not until October, but I am wondering if it would be worth my while paying for a stand at it,, its under new management this year, just wondered do many people go?

VonVix

I hope to be there, this time I may be with my pooches, the first time I went I didn't bring my boys as I was working at it.

Knine

I normally organize 2 breed stands at it. However I don't think I will ever do another one at it again. I did not know it was under new management. It does get fairly busy.

baby and crumble

I haven't heard great things about it in the last year or so, maybe being under new management will help. I wasn't too keen on the way the animals who were there were being treated. Nothing terrible I just felt bad for these little hamsters forced into running balls during the day when normally they'd be asleep, that kinda thing.

tk123

Unless something spectacular is happening at it then it's a no from me and at that I don't think I'd bring my dogs to it again. Apart from it getting crowded a LOT of people going to it with dogs don't seem to have socialised them at all let alone out and about in crowds so not the type of dogs/owners I want to be around. I'd much rather take the dogs on a nice walk and sit and have a coffee/treat at the market!

murphf

VonVix wrote: »

I hope to be there, this time I may be with my pooches, the first time I went I didn't bring my boys as I was working at it.

Were you on a stand? just trying to work out if its worth the money?

Is it mostly dogs and dog owners? we do boarding for small animals, and pet sitting but not really for dogs, mostly cats, reptiles etc.

Admin hope its ok to mention that, just want to get a feel for who goes, dont want to waste my money on it if not worth it, please remove if not!

tk123

murphf wrote: »

Were you on a stand? just trying to work out if its worth the money?

Is it mostly dogs and dog owners? we do boarding for small animals, and pet sitting but not really for dogs, mostly cats, reptiles etc.

Admin hope its ok to mention that, just want to get a feel for who goes, dont want to waste my money on it if not worth it, please remove if not!

A friend had a stand at it a few years ago and got no extra business from it so didn't go again. He also lost a days work being there

VonVix

murphf wrote: »

Were you on a stand? just trying to work out if its worth the money?

Is it mostly dogs and dog owners? we do boarding for small animals, and pet sitting but not really for dogs, mostly cats, reptiles etc.

Admin hope its ok to mention that, just want to get a feel for who goes, dont want to waste my money on it if not worth it, please remove if not!

I wasn't at the one last year, but the year before. I heard the one last year was a bit dismal. I wouldn't be much help to you with regards how much it would be worth to you money-wise, as that wasn't my role at the event, but it was very busy with lots of dog owners and dogs. I definitely enjoyed it for the shopping aspect, personally. :P

viztopia

I see the new management seem to be putting a good bit of effort into the new website and face book page so heres hoping for the best. I also see that they are teaming up with the cat crowd some should be plenty of extra people coming this year. are many people going this year?

SillyMangoX

I'm going to head up one of the days, but mainly just to see the cat show. I've no one entered myself this year but I'll be supporting a friend. Will probably have a nosy around the main expo too but after having been there a couple of times and exhibiting once, it would want to have major improvement!

viztopia

can I ask what was the problem with previous years? was it badly run, bad crowds or bad stalls?

SillyMangoX wrote: »

I'm going to head up one of the days, but mainly just to see the cat show. I've no one entered myself this year but I'll be supporting a friend. Will probably have a nosy around the main expo too but after having been there a couple of times and exhibiting once, it would want to have major improvement!

tk123

viztopia wrote: »

can I ask what was the problem with previous years? was it badly run, bad crowds or bad stalls?

All of the above lol!! :pac:

muddypaws

Was meant to be taking part in it, but will be away now on the date, so can't go.

The new organiser seems to be putting a lot of effort into it though, so I'm hoping its a big success, as I love the idea, just a shame its never really lived up to the expectations. Maybe from now on it will.

Zapperzy

Have a cat entered into the cat show so will take a nosy around the expo too. Haven't been since the first year it ran, was that around 07 or 08?

Themadhouse

Zapperzy wrote: »

Have a cat entered into the cat show so will take a nosy around the expo too. Haven't been since the first year it ran, was that around 07 or 08?

Ped or household? I am working at the cat show for the day. Debating about putting my coon on exhibition.

Zapperzy

Themadhouse wrote: »

Ped or household? I am working at the cat show for the day. Debating about putting my coon on exhibition.

Household, she's just a posh moggy with high notions of herself :P oh do, I love meeting coons

tk123

!!!! There's a main coon we've seen a few times at the vet - just WOW! I've never seen a cat like him!! He's just fabulous and he knows it lol!!

mozzy

murphf wrote: »

Were you on a stand? just trying to work out if its worth the money?

Is it mostly dogs and dog owners? we do boarding for small animals, and pet sitting but not really for dogs, mostly cats, reptiles etc.

Admin hope its ok to mention that, just want to get a feel for who goes, dont want to waste my money on it if not worth it, please remove if not!

I have been on a stand since the start of PetExpo pm me if you like

pawrick

Will be popping in to it for my first time. Rarely ever visit Dublin since going country so it's a good excuse for a catch up with friends and a day out. Otherwise we're going with the point of making some contacts for bits and pieces needed for a local animal rescue (we're looking at enclosure options for example) and see some products in the flesh if possible as it beats looking at things online where you cant judge quality so easily as well as general stuff for our own pets (cats, dog and parrots).

Themadhouse

Zapperzy wrote: »

Household, she's just a posh moggy with high notions of herself :P oh do, I love meeting coons

I will watch out for the posh moggie so!
Didn't enter Fred. I'm bringing a friend and her cat who is entered into the competition. Fred likes to sing all the way in the car and I didn't want to risk upsetting the other cat.

But.
I know there will be some fab coons there to meet. :-)

sillysmiles

We (well my husband) won tickets to the PetExpo. Have never been before so should be interesting for a few hours. Though I think for us, the crowds might be a bit too much for our dog.

tk123

sillysmiles wrote: »

We (well my husband) won tickets to the PetExpo. Have never been before so should be interesting for a few hours. Though I think for us, the crowds might be a bit too much for our dog.

Go early to avoid the crowds.. And scout around the area for on street parking if you don't want to fork out for the car park

Bells21

tk123 wrote:

Go early to avoid the crowds.. And scout around the area for on street parking if you don't want to fork out for the car park

What is parking like at the Expo? It's our first year going and I am really looking forward to it. Unfortunately the dogs won't be coming with us as it's quite a drive and one of them detests having other dogs up in his business so I really don't want to stress him(or me)out.

tk123

Bells21 wrote: »

What is parking like at the Expo? It's our first year going and I am really looking forward to it. Unfortunately the dogs won't be coming with us as it's quite a drive and one of them detests having other dogs up in his business so I really don't want to stress him(or me)out.

I was €6 last time I parked there! I bumped into a friend who'd parked around the corner for free! :rolleyes:

Bells21

tk123 wrote:

I was €6 last time I parked there! I bumped into a friend who'd parked around the corner for free!

So the early bird catches the worm(or free parking space in this case). Thanks😀

Lady Haywire

Yip, going on the Sunday & staying overnight so going to boogie my butt off somewhere too

Many going on the Sunday? Could all meet up at the cats and ooh and aah over them!

Knine

Lady Haywire wrote: »

Yip, going on the Sunday & staying overnight so going to boogie my butt off somewhere too

Many going on the Sunday? Could all meet up at the cats and ooh and aah over them!

Ha when I had a stand I used to do that on the Sat night too & I would be dying the next day :-)

SillyMangoX

Just bought my tickets for Sunday today, going up to support a friend in the cat show hoping there's more freebies there than there was last time!!

tk123

Last time I was there I ran into the loo first before I brought the dogs in... and so I could have a cheeky look at the cats!!

murphf

Have decided to take a stand so hopefully it'll be worth it! (Small animal boarding )

AryaStark

I am really looking forward to this. It will be my first time going.. I have a husky who is very sociable and loves to meet other dogs (she is great with all dogs, big and small!). I have brought her to a few events i.e the great big dog walk etc. I am hoping that other dogs there will be sociable and that she gets to meet loads of dogs and lovely people!
We have another dog- a border collie cross but he does not like other dogs (except for Nymeria) so he will be staying home!

viztopia

i was speaking to some one involved and its worth pointing out that dogs will only be allowed on a short leash (this is so owners can keep them under control)

AryaStark

viztopia wrote: »

i was speaking to some one involved and its worth pointing out that dogs will only be allowed on a short leash (this is so owners can keep them under control)

That will make it easier dealing with the little dogs (and bigger ones!) that are not social and snap...

Knine

AryaStark wrote: »

That will make it easier dealing with the little dogs (and bigger ones!) that are not social and snap...

Dogs can be very social & still snap. Not all dogs appreciate other dogs going right up into their face.

AryaStark

Knine wrote: »

Dogs can be very social & still snap. Not all dogs appreciate other dogs going right up into their face.

Sorry I do understand that... I just find that it is usually the smaller dogs that snap straight away. My dog is very social but I never let her up in another dogs face and am always aware that she is a bit big .. she loves to have a smell of other dogs but if they are shy she will hang back. She can't be off lead anyway and is always on a short lead walking around where others are!!!

Anyway can't wait to get there and meet everyone!

SillyMangoX

Did anyone go today? How was it compared to other years? I'm so excited for tomorrow!

Bells21

SillyMangoX wrote:

Did anyone go today? How was it compared to other years? I'm so excited for tomorrow!

We're heading tomorrow too, saw lots of pictures on FB today and it looked good. Just wondering how many banks I should raid before tomorrow

SingItOut

I went today, have to say it was much better organised than the last few years with far more animal relevant stalls. We got free goodie bags at the door, they were limited to the first 100 people. I think the goody bags are on tomorrow as well so get yourselves there early.

I was disappointed I didn't Get to see the cats, I didn't realise they were on tomorrow. I'm also disappointed the bird stalls weren't there (they were advertised) as I've just adopted two cockatiels and wanted to buy them some stuff. I searched the place for the bird stall then asked an organiser and he didn't know what I was talking about.

Not many dogs in the breed village though, that seemed quite small this year. All in all it was a great day, the dogs got some holistic treats, toys and new collars.

Knine

SingItOut wrote: »

I went today, have to say it was much better organised than the last few years with far more animal relevant stalls. We got free goodie bags at the door, they were limited to the first 100 people. I think the goody bags are on tomorrow as well so get yourselves there early.

I was disappointed I didn't Get to see the cats, I didn't realise they were on tomorrow. I'm also disappointed the bird stalls weren't there (they were advertised) as I've just adopted two cockatiels and wanted to buy them some stuff. I searched the place for the bird stall then asked an organiser and he didn't know what I was talking about.

Not many dogs in the breed village though, that seemed quite small this year. All in all it was a great day, the dogs got some holistic treats, toys and new collars.

I normally have a breed stand there so was wondering how it went! It is very hard to get decent bird stuff. I have a Parrotlet & find Zooplus about the best. If you find anywhere else decent let me know!

pawrick

Knine wrote: »

I normally have a breed stand there so was wondering how it went! It is very hard to get decent bird stuff. I have a Parrotlet & find Zooplus about the best. If you find anywhere else decent let me know!

I've bought a few things from this site before for my parrotlets (zooplus would be my main site also however)

http://www.northernparrots.com/

sillysmiles

So I went today. I hadn't realised there was no cats in it. That was a bit odd.
Having never been before personally I'd have liked to see less tat for sale and more space for the breed area.

Zapperzy

I love how some people think everything's a freebie, somebody just swiped two bags of treats off of the top of jesses cage. They were given to all cats entering so I had gotten them as a freebie but still. Also watched a girl open my cage and put her hand in! :-O

tk123

Zapperzy wrote: »

I love how some people think everything's a freebie, somebody just swiped two bags of treats off of the top of jesses cage. They were given to all cats entering so I had gotten them as a freebie but still. Also watched a girl open my cage and put her hand in! :-O

Somebody I know had a table at it a few years ago and had a few jars of sweets/lollipops for people who came over to him - he caught somebody tipping one of the jars into her bag!

Zapperzy

tk123 wrote: »

Somebody I know had a table at it a few years ago and had a few jars of sweets/lollipops for people who came over to him - he caught somebody tipping one of the jars into her bag!

Haha brilliant, I wonder what their excuse was!

Bells21

We've just left, it was our first year there. I had imagined something larger but wasn't disappointed and the back seat is still full!! Was very careful about where I put my feet...lots of teeny tiny dogs there.

murphf

I had never been before and took a stand this year (small animal
Boarding) .. I really enjoyed it, was lovely to meet so many animal mad people like myself! Lovely to see all the dogs out socialising and so well behaved, and the owners helping each other out with poo bags etc. I enjoyed looking at the breed stands too, some
I'd never seen before so nice to see in the flesh. And
The birds of prey were fantastic! All in all I thought it was very well organised, a
Great day out for everyone and lots to see and do.

SingItOut

Knine wrote: »

I normally have a breed stand there so was wondering how it went! It is very hard to get decent bird stuff. I have a Parrotlet & find Zooplus about the best. If you find anywhere else decent let me know!

I got their cage off zoo plus but didn't find much in the way of toys there, I've gotten them a swing and a wooden chew thing with a bell attached from pet mania that they absolutely love! So hard to find nice things for them , I picked up a few ferret toys for them like ladders that they use when outside the cage, just make sure to check the chemicals used on them are safe.

Themadhouse

Zapperzy wrote: »

I love how some people think everything's a freebie, somebody just swiped two bags of treats off of the top of jesses cage. They were given to all cats entering so I had gotten them as a freebie but still. Also watched a girl open my cage and put her hand in! :-O

What did uou think of it over all? Would you show again? I was working at it all day and thought it was very good

Can't believe someone opened your pen!! Ffs

Zapperzy

Themadhouse wrote: »

What did uou think of it over all? Would you show again? I was working at it all day and thought it was very good

Can't believe someone opened your pen!! Ffs

I thought it was pretty well ran, got in and found everything quickly, I liked that it was in a separate hall to the dogs, only during the best in show could I hear dogs barking. I could see her getting a bit cranky towards the end though, because it was a double show I assume she was handled twice as much, she seemed a lot more relaxed at the last show she was at anyways. Could've been all the travelling and the overnight stay too, might've been too much for her.

I should've listened to the flyer and brought my own chair though. After I spotted two people opening her cage I didn't want to take my eyes off of her. Very cheeky and if she got loose in that hall with so many exits and places to hide she wouldn't be caught too easily. I think people must've thought that the non pedigree section was the petting zoo because as I heard a lot of people say 'these are just the pet cats', they must've assumed it was ok to do that because they were just pets.

Il be back again, probably the midlands show as its a bit closer to home. Iv caught the showing bug :-D Met some lovely maine coons and sphynx too, would love to have one some day and try my hand at showing them too :-) Met some lovely people too of course, mustn't forget those :-P

Themadhouse

Glad you enjoyed it. :-)
I was delighted Harrison the maine coon was there as his owner is so good at letting people see and touch him. He is a dote.
Same as Blue, the sphynx boy, he is such an entertainer, I just love him!

Must look up the catalogue to see if we looked at your kitty. :-) the little black kitten who won boy was just a little dote.

Zapperzy

Themadhouse wrote: »

Glad you enjoyed it. :-)
I was delighted Harrison the maine coon was there as his owner is so good at letting people see and touch him. He is a dote.
Same as Blue, the sphynx boy, he is such an entertainer, I just love him!

Must look up the catalogue to see if we looked at your kitty. :-) the little black kitten who won boy was just a little dote.

I met both Harrison and blue without realising until later on that it was them, felt like I met two celebrities :-P he was gorgeous, seemed really chilled out too :-)