Organized by the World Wide Pet Industry Association (Arcadia, Calif.), the event featured 233 exhibiting vendors displaying a wide variety of wares and services in 450 booths.

Animal education was a major component of the show. Animal experts, including trainers, veterinarians, breeders and authors, provided one-on-one advice about selecting, caring for and training companion animals.

“Pet owners can’t seem to do enough for their pets, and they have an increased desire to learn all they can about keeping their pet healthy, happy and safe,” said Doug Poindexter, executive vice president of WWPIA.

As part of the Pet Adoption Fair, 25 animal rescue organizations found homes for 217 pets, including 152 dogs, 57 cats, four guinea pigs and four ferrets.

In the Extreme Doggie Makeover, sponsored by Oster Professional Products (Boca Raton, Fla.), professional groomers used massage, pedicures, herbal shampoos, spa showers, colognes and breath fresheners to make 50 adoptable dogs from shelters and rescue organizations look their best for prospective new families.

Show sponsors included The Petco Foundation (San Gabriel, Calif.), Nutro Products Inc. (City of Industry, Calif.), Pet Sitters International (King, N.C.), Precise Pet Products (Nacogdoches, Texas), Schmackos (McLean, Va.), Hill’s Pet Nutrition Inc. (Topeka, Kan.), Natural Balance Pet Foods Inc. (Pacoima, Calif.), the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (Washington), The Pet Care Trust (Arcadia, Calif.), Better Homes and Gardens, Dog Fancy/Cat Fancy (Los Angeles), JeffersPet.com (Dothan, Ala.), Marineland Aquarium Products (Cincinnati), Pet Food & More (Livonia, Mich.) and Seachem Labs Inc./Jurassi Pet (Madison, Ga.).

This year, America’s Family Pet Expos are scheduled for April 13-15 at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa, Calif., and Nov. 16-18 at the Rock Financial Showplace in Novi, Mich. For more information, call 800-999-7295 or visit www.wwpia.org. [March 2007 PET AGE]