OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Pet lovers and animals from around the county are invited to World Equestrian Center’s Pet Palooza. The ‘palooza will take place Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 17-18 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. each day at Expo Center 2, 1598 NW 87th Ct. Rd, Ocala. Guests will have the opportunity to experience live entertainment, activities for pets, adoptions and demonstrations throughout the weekend.
Both days will follow a similar schedule throughout the day, starting with live performances from Amazing Veranica & Her Talented Dogs. They will showcase their movies in the Entertainment Pavillion, getting crowds excited during this dancing dog show. Between performances, guests will be able to watch and participate in multiple friendly competitions.
Guests can take part in the costume contest directly after the show before jumping into the best trick contest at the stage. Following the contests, there will be dog races at the Entertainment Pavillion starting with the Weiner Dog Dash. Next up will highlight the stamina of the little guests with the small paws sprint for dogs between 10-20 pounds. Medium dogs are up next with the middle-weight mutt sprint for dogs between 20-50 pounds.
As shows and races continue, there will be reptile encounters and live demonstrations. There will be four opportunities for guests to meet reptiles at booth 304 on both days starting at 10:45 a.m. and the last encounter at 3:15 p.m. Live demonstrations will take place at booth 300 and begin at 10:15 a.m. with Cooperative Care before continuing with a tricks demo, service dog demo, service mini horse demo, obedience demo and ending with a canine conditioning demo at 2:45 p.m.
There will also be an opportunity to explore other booths throughout the days. Guests can visit up to five booths with Meet Honey’s Mini Therapy Horses, free nail trims by Golden Paws Grooming, pet blessings by Ascension Lutheran Church, a free mobile dog run and a free petting zoo. On Saturday, there will be an extra booth from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. for cats and dogs with free microchipping & rabies shots by SPCA of Ocala. Guests can also expect to see a pet parade, plenty of exhibitors, animal grooming, educational information, pet care and plenty more.
An extra special edition to Pet Palooza will be the on-site adoptions available throughout both days. For those looking for a new pet to bring home, guests can adopt animals from Marion County Animal Services, Williston Animal Group, Humane Society of Mation County, Voices of Change Animal League (VOCAL), QOL Rehab & Foster, Feline’s Embrace Rescue and Love (FERAL) and Second Time’s A Charm Dog Rescue.
Whether checking out some of the amazing animals that attendees have to showcase or bringing a pet to socialize and play, Pet Palooza has something for pet parents everywhere. Well-behaved, leashed animals are welcome.