Upcoming Pet Fair & Adoptathon Welcomes the Entire Family (and Just Might Add to It)

by Kerry Bleskan

Pets from around the state and thousands of their people will converge on the Marin Center in San Rafael September 9 and 10 for the First Annual Bay Area Pet Fair & Adoptathon. Attendees will meet and learn from pet experts from many fields, including training, education, rescue, health, and sport. Special guest Warren Eckstein, called the “Dr. Phil of Pets,” will broadcast his hit syndicated radio show live from the Pet Fair.

“We’d love to bring renewed awareness to adoption and rescue — whether you want or already have a mutt or a purebred, we’ll have something for everyone — plus cats and rabbits and other family pets too,” said Sandy Lurins, head of the fair’s organizing sponsor, FETCH the Paper. She said sponsors have high hopes for the event, including bringing the local pet community together. “We have a great and supportive vendor community offering the greatest products for happier, healthier pets. We also aim to provide fun and education for kids.”

Meet your new pal

The Fair centers around a giant, multi-agency Adoptathon. Even in the famously pet-crazy Bay Area, the fair is the first of its kind to integrate so many adoption agencies and rescues from the community (21 at press time, representing adoptable dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, and “pretty much any pet these groups are offering for adoption,” said Lurins. “This will bring together some of the smaller and/or breed-specific groups with some of the largest and most respected humane groups and shelters in not only our area, but anywhere,” she continued.

“This fair presents a wonderful opportunity for animal shelters and rescues to market their animals and programs to a much wider audience than usual,” said Sheri Cardo, Marin Humane Society’s director of public relations. “We’re looking forward to doing a bunch of pet adoptions and having a lot of fun!”

Sponsoring agencies include San Francisco SPCA, East Bay SPCA, Marin Humane Society, Humane Society & SPCA of Sonoma County, and Sonoma County Animal Shelter. Other groups bringing pets for adoption and/or presenting educational programs including Greyhound, Pug, Poodle, and cat rescue groups. More groups are signing on every day.

The radio star

Warren Eckstein will broadcast “The Pet Show,” his nationally syndicated radio program, from the Pet Fair both days. You might also recognize him from one of his many TV appearances; besides appearing as a guest on the late night and morning shows, Eckstein is the Pet and Animal Editor for NBC’s “Today” show and appears regularly on the Discovery Channel. Eckstein is enthusiastic about his appearance at the fair.

“San Francisco has the warm and furry distinction of being a pet-loving locale and I’m looking forward to celebrating that environment in my broadcast from the Bay Area Pet Fair. This will give me the opportunity to reinforce what most pet people already believe, that is that our pets are part of our family and do so much to make us feel good. We can reward them by teaching people how to understand their pets, and make them feel as good as they make us feel.

“Along with the fact that so many homeless pets will find permanent, forever homes — it just makes this broadcast and appearance so gratifying,” Eckstein said. “And you can be sure that the pets that are adopted at the Fair will pay their new people back every day for the rest of their lives.”

Warren’s appearance at the Pet Fair is sponsored by KQKE 960 AM Progressive Talk radio, where his show is broadcast weekly throughout the Bay Area.

Honoring our Katrina pets

To honor the hundreds of Katrina pets that were fostered and adopted in the Bay Area, on Sunday the Pet Fair will feature a special ceremony to honor Katrina rescues and their people. Pet Fair organizers are inviting anyone who adopted or fostered a Katrina pet to attend the fair on this day and participate in the ceremony. Please contact sandy@bayareapetfair for more information.

Back to school

The Kids Pavilion will host fun workshops and experts in pet care, dog safety, and more. Humane Society & SPCA of Sonoma County will conduct classes in dog bite prevention and house rabbit care. “Pet Encounters” will give kids a chance to meet more exotic pets like reptiles and hamsters.

Other seminars are geared more toward adults and include topics such as training tips from world-renowned author and training authority Dr. Ian Dunbar; Reiki with Marla Steele; acupuncture, chiropractic, and homeopathy with Dr. David Fong; raw food diets; Pit Bull education with Donna Reynolds of San Francisco’s BAD RAP (Bay Area Doglovers Responsible about Pitbulls); and animal communication techniques with Marta Williams. The full program of presentations will be available mid-August on the Pet Fair’s web site.

Athletic feats, er, paws

In the Performance Ring, dogs and handlers will demonstrate the very best in canine sport, from high-powered Agility to protection-centered Schutzhund. Highlights include: Small Dog Agility demonstrations from Mary Butler, Schutzhund and Obedience with Suzanne Lavallee, and several presentations of Canine Freestyle (choreographed dancing with your dog!), from Dancing Paws, Dogs Can Dance, and Martia Nelson. Flyball, a canine relay race dog sitters to pet psychics. Take a trip to “Whine Country” (sponsored by Petco) to sample Sonoma and Napa Valley wines and learn which hotels and destinations are pet friendly. Mutt Lynch and other dog-themed wines will be served. The proceeds from the Whine Country tastings will benefit PAWS (Pets Are Wonderful Support).

De tails

Pet admission, $1 or a can of pet food, will feed needy animals. Pet attendees must be well behaved, on a leash six feet long or shorter, and comfortable in crowds. (As the weather will probably be warm, authorities will remove any animals left alone in cars.)

Human admission is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors (55+) and kids 6–12, and $20 for a four-pack family ticket. Admission for kids under 6 is free. Parking is free, too!

The Marin Center Exhibition Hall and Fairgrounds is located at 10 Avenue of the Flags in San Rafael, just off Hwy. 101. Directions, more details, a mailing list sign up, and the most up-to-date information is available at the Fair website, www.bayareapetfair.com.