Now that the holiday festivities have passed, it’s time to look for other ways to occupy our weekends. Luckily, 2020 is getting off to a great start for animal lovers … check out these awesome upcoming events for all our furry, scaly, and feathered friends in Southern California.
The Exotic Bird & Animal Expo
February 29th in Ventura & March 15th in Pomona
Not everyone’s best friend is furry— mine is feathered! The Exotic Bird & Animal Expo takes place on February 29th in Ventura County, hosting a slew of vendors specializing in avians and avian products. If Pomona is closer to you, you can visit the show there on March 15th.
This expo connects parrot lovers with like-minded individuals, influential people in the bird industry, and even a bird rescue for feathered friends that need loving homes. If you’re looking to potentially add a parrot to your household, this expo provides invaluable information on care, health, and many of the different species of birds!
This show is open to the public, and tickets are sold at the door. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids aged 6 to 12. Show hours are 10am to 3pm, rain or shine!
For more information, visit exotic-birdmart.com.
Agility Fun Workshop at the Wallis
Annenberg PetSpace
March 22nd in Playa Vista
Agility + the Wallis Annenberg PetSpace = a great time! Two of our favorite things meshed in one.
The Annenberg PetSpace has long been a supporter of our furry comrades, providing a community space for pet adoptions, an education center, and a leadership institute. The Annenberg PetSpace focuses on the collaborative and dynamic bond between people and their pets, as well as the origins of and science behind that relationship.
Agility is one of the most popular and eye-catching dog sports out there, encouraging pups to tackle a series of obstacles (such as jumps, tunnels, teeters, and dog walks) in a race setting. This sport not only strengthens the bond between humans and canines but also provides an excellent energy release for hyperactive breeds such as the border collie, a breed that commonly participates in the sport.
This fun workshop takes place on March 22nd in Playa Vista and is limited to 10 dogs (so register early!). The one-hour workshop will teach your dog the basics, such as an introduction to agility obstacles, like the jump and tunnel.
For more information, visit annenbergpetspace.org.
Meow Meow Cruise
March 30th through April 2nd in Long Beach
Let’s be honest—you can spot a cat lover from a mile away. That’s a good thing! Our feline pals have taken the world by storm with viral Internet videos, cat celebrities, and a permanent induction into popular culture. Maybe these were the cats’ plans for world domination all along?
Either way, we’re loving it! The Meow Meow Cruise, departing from Long Beach, is aiming to bring cat lovers together for the vacation of a lifetime—four days of socializing and sharing stories with fellow feline enthusiasts while enjoying the luxuries of the Carnival cruise line. The Meow Meow Cruise features a slew of cat-oriented activities, such as Meow Meow Trivia, Meow Meow Group Dining, Meow Meow Mixer, and other fun games!
For more information, visit meowmeowcruise.com.
DogFest Wine Country
April 3rd in Windsor
Dog lovers and beautiful views … what’s not to love? DogFest is a fun get-together of dog owners and dog lovers for a great cause. Taking place at the Russian River Brewing Company in Windsor, DogFest includes a day of fun, festivities, inspiring speakers, dog demonstrations, music, food and more!
The event is hosted by Canine Companions for Independence (CCI), a non-profit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs and ongoing support to ensure quality partnerships. All funds raised at DogFest benefit their mission of matching assistance dogs with children, adults, and veterans with disabilities, all free of charge.
Registration is free and fundraising is encouraged. For more information, visit CCI.org.
Goldie Palooza
April 19th in Orange
Golden retriever lovers, unite! The famous Goldie Palooza (as featured on AKC TV and more) is coming back for 2020!
The Third Annual Goldie Palooza will be held from 10 am to 3 pm on Sunday, April 19, at Lakeview Park in Silverado, California. Goldie Palooza’s goal is to set the unofficial world record for having the most Golden Retrievers gathered in one place during this fun-filled day. There will be a red carpet for very important Goldens (VIGs), photo opportunities, a costume contest, shopping at our Golden Village, and participating in our giant “everyone included” photo. All proceeds from this event benefit Golden Retriever Rescues. For more information and to pre-register, visit goldiepalooza.com. Become a VIG, walk the red carpet, and go home with swag!
America’s Family Pet Expo
April 24th through 29th in Costa Mesa
If you drive up and down the 405 freeway in California, you’ve probably seen the billboard advertisements for the annual America’s Family Pet Expo in Orange County. Likely the most talked-about event on social media among local pet lovers, this pet expo is a phenomenal event you won’t want to miss. With so much to see, you’ll want to plan to attend all week long!
Visit the hundreds of great pet product vendors and learn from expert speakers about all things pet related. You’ll see demonstrations of dog sports of all kinds, many unique breeds of cats and dogs, and you may even find your new best friend. This expo has absolutely everything you can possibly imagine that has to do with pets. Some of the highlights will be listening to the feline stylings of Mo-Show the Cat Rapper, watching the interactive bird show, or witnessing the thrilling acrobatics of the All-Star Stunt Dogs. Pet a turtle, hold a giant snake, build an aquarium, or have your face painted or your caricature drawn. Take a walk through the magical Butterfly Pavilion. The list is endless, and so is the fun! And, most importantly, more than 10,000 pets have found forever homes throughout the 30-year run of Pet Expo, so don’t be surprised if a new pet steals your heart while you’re browsing around.
Making this event even more unique is the inclusion of The Lab, an elevated pet experience showcasing state-of-the-art pet products and technology. You can be a human hamster in a giant wheel or enjoying a pop-up cat café or even an aquarium-themed sushi bar!
For more information, visit petexpooc.org.
Walk for Animals
May 2nd in San Diego
For San Diego dwellers (or those looking for an excuse to visit San Diego), the San Diego Humane Society’s Walk for Animals is a great way to spend the day outside. Taking place on May 2nd, this community-oriented walk celebrates love and commitment to animals, while raising vital funds for the San Diego Humane Society. In the coming year, San Diego Humane Society will care for 50,000 animals in need. By joining the Walk for Animals, you’ll help give each one the second chance they deserve.
The walk takes place in NTC Park at Liberty Station from 7am until 11am.
For more information, visit SDhumane.org.
