Pet-parents, it is time to put on the sneakers, leach up the dog, and head to Betts Park in Warren for the 3rd Annual American Red Cross Canine Wellness Expo. This year it will be held Saturday, May 22nd from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The park will be filled with local professional veterinarians, groomers, boarders, breeders, and retail suppliers. This is an entertaining, educational, and social event for everyone with a compassion for the dogs in their care.
The event will have many entertaining activities throughout the day. Professional pet businesses will be conducting demonstrations, handing out educational literature, providing pet services such as nail clipping, ear cleaning, flea control, holistic approaches to pet health, treat and food samples and basic grooming tips. Rescue dog organizations will be demonstrating their talents. Each year, specialist in dog obedience, show how training your dog can make ownership enjoyable and safe. Food vendors will be on hand to treat pet parents with festival food.
The Warren County American Red Cross holds this event to emphasize the importance of having knowledge of providing pet safety, pet first aid, and being prepared in case of a disaster. Learn how to keep your pets safe and act with confidence until help from a veterinarian can be obtained should your cat or dog sustain an injury or become suddenly ill. Discounted Pet First Aid classes will be offered for those who have pre-registered. Classes are being offered at a discount due to the generous sponsorship of local businesses. Those taking classes may bring a crate for their pets. Classes will be offered at 11:00, 1:00, and 3:00, with limited space.
The Canine Wellness Expo is a major event fundraiser for the American Red Cross. The Warren County Chapter encompasses Warren County Pennsylvania. Serving the communities of; Chandlers Valley, Clarendon, Garland, Grand Valley, Irvine, Pittsfield, Russell, Sheffield, Sugar Grove, Tidioute, Tiona, Youngsville, Warren and the rest of Warren County. They are responsible for many humanitarian services needed in these local communities. All of the services provided are made possible through the generous support of volunteers and caring people in the community.
The local chapter provides numerous services to the community. They provide training for basic first aid, adult CPR and AED, infant CPR, responder training, babysitter’s classes, and lifeguard training, along with pet first aid. The chapter assists military families in the event of an emergency, critical accident, illness or death in a service members’ immediate family. The Red Cross is equipped to verify the situation and relay an emergency message to those serviceman and women serving in the US armed forces. Staffing is 24 hours a day, seven days a week to assist local residents. Disaster Action Teams provide disaster assistance to individuals or families on a case-by-case basis. Disaster victims are responsible for their own recovery, and Red Cross assistance is provided to facilitate and support disaster victim recovery efforts.
Assistance that is provided by Disaster Action Teams may include direct assistance, in the form of debit cards or vouchers to purchase new clothing, groceries, bedding, eyeglasses, prescriptions, and hotel stays. All Red Cross disaster assistance is an outright grant and is based on disaster-caused needs. No repayment or reimbursement for any assistance provided is sought or accepted from disaster victims. Other assistance provided includes referrals to other agencies that may be able to assist disaster victims. Mass Care services are provided through sheltering, feeding, and direct distribution of relief supplies. Mass Care can be initiated upon notification of an impending disaster or immediately following a disaster event. All these services need funding, which is done through local mailing campaigns, with donations from residents and businesses and fundraising events.
The Canine Wellness Expo is based on this need, to raise funds, entertain, and educate, all in a day of fun with our furry friends. As part of the fundraising efforts, a Chinese Auction will be held at the pavilion, containing baskets of doggy goodies and pet-parent treats. Donations for the auction are made by local businesses, American Red Cross Board members and volunteers. The Warren’s Weather Wizz-ard ® of the American Red Cross will be on hand to predict summer’s weather. This humorous activity will en-Tail a small-crated canine that will be released at 3:30 from her crate, into a marked field (similar to the steer dump), where she will predict a ‘wet or dry’ summer. Raffle tickets are $5, available at the WCCBI, Watt Office Supply, the American Red Cross office, and at the event. Winners will be receiving cash prizes, from a top prize of $500, with descending values of $100, $50, and $25 winners. The ARC for the Weather Wizz-ard Inner Circle will be on hand to entertain during the drawing.
The $2 admission fee supports the local chapter of the American Red Cross.
Canine contests will be held throughout the event for the most talented, most obedient, timed sit and stay, and of course the biggest, smallest, oldest and youngest.
The American Red Cross is asking that you follow the guidelines of responsible pet parenting at the Canine Wellness Expo event. All canines are to be leashed and have a current license.. Please make sure that shots are up-to-date and that your canine is in good health and not in heat. We want this to be a safe and enjoyable day for all. The event is made possible by the generous advertising support of Pampered Pets Grooming and Boarding Kennels.
WARREN COUNTY WIDE TOP DOG CONTEST
Prior to the event, as a promotion in advance of the event, the American Red Cross will hold TOP DOG contests throughout Warren County. Cash awards and prizes will be presented to five regional winners and one TOP DOG. Dog owners can register for free at the Warren County American Red Cross, 305 Market Street, Warren, PA 16365 or online at www.caninewellnessexpo.com. Trials will be held at the following locations:
Monday, May 17, 2010 – 5:00 to 7:00 – Wilcox Brothers Sugar Grove
Tuesday, May 18, 2010 – 5:00 to 7:00 – Holmberg Salon Youngsville
Wednesday, May 19, 2010 – 5:00 to 7:00 – Tidioute
Thursday, May 20, 2010 – 5:00 to 7:00 – Warren-Russell
Friday, May 21, 2010 – 5:00 to 7:00 – Sheffield
Awards will be presented in the afternoon at the Canine Wellness Expo at Betts Park, Warren. For further information, raffle tickets and class registration, visit
www.caninewellnessexpo.com or call the American Red Cross office at 814-723-6000, 305 Market Street, Warren, PA 16365.
A table of vintage, antique linens and 1930-1960 crochet doilies items will be presented by Angie Dart.