By Karen Bloom
Our Pet Expos are designed to educate and entertain the public about the wonderful world of pets. They are family oriented events featuring many educational demonstrations and seminars, hands-on-petting opportunities, special attractions, pet adoptions, and entertaining exhibits. Our Pet Expos also make available an outstanding shopping venue of products and services pertaining to pets and children, said show promoter Rick Stuts.
Besides the dogs and cats, visitors will find fish, birds, reptiles, potbellied pigs, and a host of other furry and feathered creatures, ready to strut their stuff for their human guests. If Fido or Sassy needs something special, many pet-related products are available for purchase, right in time for holiday gift-giving. The SPCA, Humane Society and local area adoption agencies will be on hand, as well, disseminating information on responsible pet ownership.
Beyond those public service agencies, hundreds of companies ranging from small establishments, local area pet shops, and pet publications, right up to major manufacturers will display the latest the pet industry has to offer. In addition, pet clubs, breeders and associations will be available to help future pet owners decide what kind of pet might be right for them.
The all-encompassing show features a wide selection of special events and attractions including dog agility and training demonstrations, cat breed showcase/demonstrations by the Long Island Cat Fanciers Association, the Long Island Parrot Society 's Fun Bird Parade, B 'wana Jim 's Reptile Show, and, of course, a children 's favorite, petting zoo and pony rides.
New this year are:
n B 'wana Jim 's Wildlife Reptile Show - B 'wana Jim Jim Moulton and his wife, and fellow handler, Linda Moulton, travel the world presenting a unique show, specializing in snakes, alligators and turtles.
n Birds Of Prey - Presented by the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary, this program leads audiences through an in-depth examination of eagles, hawks, falcons, and owls. Get up close and personal with the live birds.
n T & D 's Cat 's Of The World - Don 't miss seeing a 400-pound Bengal tiger! T & D 's Cat 's of the World is a one of a kind animal refuge specializing in exotic felines. The organization rescues wildlife from abusive situations.
n Dog Training Demonstrations - Elite Dog Trainers of America offers presentations in fundamental obedience training, freestyle training, detection dogs, and trick dogs.
Beyond entertainment, the Expo offers an opportunity to meet with experts and obtain information on any and all pet-related matters. A full range of seminars and workshops are held throughout the event, among them, AFC Ferret Rescue, Madeline Glazer on How To Feed Your Dog, Karen Kober 's Animal Communications, LL Parrot Society 's So You Are Thinking About Getting A Parrot, and the House Rabbit Society discussing Living With A Rabbit.
If all that is not enough, PAX-TV will be at the Expo looking for pets for its new television series Animal Tails. If your pet has special talent, trick, or is just plain cute, bring him or her to be videotaped and photographed during the Animal Tails Pet Search! Visitors will also be able to meet with Animal Tails host Mark Curry. Keep in mind, that pets can audition in the lobby, but are not allowed into the exhibits hall.
In the words, of the Expo 's organizers, bring your family, friends, mother, father, and mother-in-law, but don 't bring your pets we 'll have plenty of them for you to see.
The Long Island Pet Expo
Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 13-16. Hours: Nov. 13, 4-10:30 p.m.; Nov. 14-15, 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; Nov. 16, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission: $8.50 adult; $3.50 children ages 11 and under. There is an additional charge for some attractions. Nassau Coliseum, Hempstead Tpke., Uniondale. (516) 794-9303 or www.horseandpetexpo.com.
PAX-TV Animal Tails Pet Search
Auditions take place on Sunday, Nov. 16, noon-3 p.m., in the Nassau Coliseum Lobby. All varieties of pets are welcome. For further information contact (212) 603-8469.
