What’s happening at The Great Iowa Pet Expo
Dates and Hours
Saturday, October 20 – 10am – 6pm
Sunday, October 21 – 10am – 4 pm
Entertainment
Lusco Farms Donkey Rescue to The Great Iowa Pet Expo!
NESTER, the donkey who started a movement in Malvern.
Look who’s returning for 2018!!
It all started with one forlorn little donkey!!
Lura and Scott Shehan “founders”, were just going to look at some horse tack. Things got sidetracked when Lura suggested they tour the animal sale barn. That’s when they spotted him. “He was skinny, scared and the kids were laughing at him,” recalls Scott. “That’s what got to Lura. She said ‘We are taking him home.’” And they did.
The little fellow they called Nestor (after the hero of a popular children’s book) was just the first. The Shehans began their rescue work in 2009, and became a non-profit in 2011. Today, with 150 donkeys and mules rescued, Lusco Farms Rescue in Malvern, Iowa, continues to work diligently to find forever homes for abandoned, neglected or abused equines.
“They are kind of like big dogs,” explains Lura. “They are very inquisitive and they want to be around human beings. They want attention and affection from their humans.” Just as with dogs and cats; overbreeding is the root cause of too many donkeys. That coupled with a tough economy several years ago, many sale barns were filled with unwanted horses, mules and donkeys.
The Shehans go through a thorough adoption process to make sure their charges end up in greener pastures. Potential adopters have to fill out a form; provide veterinary/farrier references, and provide adequate pasture and shelter for the animals. They also have to ensure that the donkey or mule has a “buddy.” They either need another equine on site, or they have to adopt two donkeys. As herd animals, donkeys need companionship just as much as they need food, water and shelter.
The Shehans (and a small core of committed volunteers) work hard to make sure the donkeys and mules are well tended. As co-founders of the Southwest Iowa Animal Coalition, the Shehans, work with other area rescues on events, such as feral cat spay and neuter programs. They’ve found there is strength in numbers, and the rescue groups work together to promote awareness and adoptions.
The work is hard. The donkeys must be handled regularly to learn to accept having their feet handled (regular hoof trimming is a must); pens must be cleaned; hay and water provided. Lura is up at 4:30 a.m. to do chores and then off to work her full time job; after a full day at work, Lura and Scott head home to care for the dozen plus donkeys currently at the rescue.
That number is ever-changing. Lura said they have a waiting list for people who want Lusco Farms to take donkeys. In a recent situation, they took back three donkeys from an adopter whose deteriorating health necessitated giving up her beloved pets.
And as for Nestor? He was eventually adopted out to a loving family. Scott remembers Lura’s fateful words the night they spotted the long-eared donkey. “She said, ‘His life gets better today.’” And it did. They still live that motto today. “Their life’s get better starting today“!
Story Courtesy of PAH/Pet Health Central
Paint Your Pet!
Paint Your Pet at the Great Iowa Pet Expo 2019 – Oct. 19 & 20! Event times are 1pm-4pm on Saturday, October 20th and 12:30pm -3:30pm on Sunday, October 21st!
Register at www.elarteuncorked.com. Please email a photo of your pet to info@elarteuncorked.com by October 17th to have the image pre-sketched on the canvas.
Cost is $40 per painter – Groupon deal not available for this event. $20 from every ticket goes directly to benefit local animal shelters Hope Animal Rescue of Iowa, AHeinz57 Pet Rescue and Transport, Furry Friends Rescue and Animal Lifeline of Iowa!
Iowa Home Consulting Rescue Meet & Greet Arena
Come meet the adoptables!
Thanks to Iowa Home Consulting, there will be a new Rescue Meet & Greet Arena at this year’s Great Iowa Pet Expo! This will be a 40-foot draped area on the main show floor of The Great Iowa Pet Expo.
This space is created for rescues and shelters to be able to showcase your adoptable pets in a more relaxed meet & greet area where potential adopters can interact with new potential family members.
We asked Iowa Home Consulting to partner with us on this because they have such a huge commitment to the rescue and shelter community. Last year they donated over 25% of their profits to local animal rescues and shelters.
Be sure to stop by and check out this new feature when you’re at the Expo!
The Stylin’ Paws “Ultimate Stay” Contest
Can your dog “Stay’? Really, really “Stay”? If so, you might have the 2018 winner of The Stylin’ Paws Ultimate Stay Contest. It’s a test of will and obedience and as we have the handlers put their dogs in a “Stay” command, then we start adding distractions. Rolling tennis balls, treats, noises, and all the while moving the handlers farther from the dogs. Someone will take the $100 cash prize AND a gift basket from Stylin’ Paws for first place in the Stylin’ Paws “Ultimate Stay” Contest! The second and third place winners will also be provided with a Stylin’ Paws gift bag.
Stylin’ Paws is a perfect partner for this contest because they offer your pet the “Ultimate Stay” when at the Stylin’ Paws Salon and Day Stay!
It’s not just a full-service pet salon, but it’s also a dog daycare facility that’s dedicated to consistently providing high customer satisfaction with excellent service, quality pet care, and a fun, clean, enjoyable atmosphere.
Stylin’ Paws has also recently expanded into the retail world. Their retail area focuses on health-conscious pet parents and those who seek out unique high-quality products not found in large retail stores. Their product assortment includes a selection of stylish dog collars, luxurious dog beds, the highest quality all-natural food and treats, cool and funny dog toys, ‘mutts’ more.
Stylin’ Paws understand that the grooming experience is made up if three key components:
- The Stylist
- The Pet
- The Pet Owner
Each of these components must be respected and appreciated by the facility owners and management for a positive experience to take place. These factors are important parts of the overall experience and Stylin’ Paws truly believes to have found a “better way” to positively impact all involved. Let your pet receive the Ultimate Stay and see for yourself the Stylin’ Paws difference!
Mutter Chaos Flyball Team
Flyball Demos
Come join us at The Great Iowa Pet Expo and check out the Flyball Demos!
How it works:
Flyball is a dog team sport. There are four dogs that compete at one time. The first dog runs down the lane over 4 different jumps, then hits a box that triggers a ball. The dog then catches the ball and returs to their handler over the jumps. Then, the next dog goes, and this is repeated until all four dogs are finished.
Trick Training
Trick training is a break away from the ordinary and a way to relax and have fun with your dog again. Tricks are challenging both mentally and physically. Just like people, most dogs love learning new things and it helps keep them young. Canine Craze will be offering Trick Training sessions where you can join with or without your dog. Allowing the dog choices and having fun are two keys to success when training! We will break these tricks down into small manageable chunks helping you and your dog be successful.
Trick Training sessions:
Leave-it
Crawl
Roll-over
Sit-pretty
Canine Fitness
We know that fitness for people is important, we talk about it all the time but did you know it is just as important for our dogs to stay fit? It can improve the quality of life for the pet dog and lessen the chances of injury with the performance dog. There are 5 key elements for Canine Total Health; Flexibility, Cardio, Strength, Mental, and Balance. Canine Fitness can assist in all of these areas and is a great way to continue training and enrichment with your dog. Check our schedule for each session time on Canine Fitness.
Gander Auctions Off A Motorcycle!
That’s right! Win a FREE motorcycle!! Stop and see Gander The Service Dog at this year’s Great Iowa Pet Exop and enter to win a free Harley motorcycle! The cost for a ticket is $20 or if you buy $20 worth of stuff from their booth you will get a free entry. The winning ticket will be called the day after Veterans Day. Good luck!!
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Neuter-A-Tom and Microchip Clinic by APE
BOTH days at the Great Iowa Pet Expo
Neuter-A-Tom Clinic presented by Animal Protection & Education (Des Moines)
The Great Iowa Pet Expo will host the Animal Protection and Education Charity’s, Neuter-A-Tom Clinic on October 20, 2018 at the Iowa State Fairground’s Jacobsen Building
Please help prevent unwanted litters of kittens by having your male cats and kittens neutered. To qualify kittens must be at least 8 weeks old and weigh at least two pounds. The Neuter-A-Tom clinic will be on SATURDAY ONLY! Pricing is $30 with a $5 discount if liked and shared on Facebook during the first month of advertising.
Vaccination Clinic – SUNDAY ONLY – includes rabies, distemper, mini wellness exam, and free microchip ($45 for dogs, $35 for cats)
Microchip Clinic both days – only $25!
For more information please call 515-460-SPAY
Benji’s Buddies Story Time
Teaching children about animal-welfare
Join Bailing Out Benji volunteers for “Benji’s Buddies Story Time” where advocates will read animal-welfare themed stories and children can then participate in coloring activities and small games. This short “story time” will be help promote pet adoption and being kind to all animals. Books being read will include: Deputy Paws and the Puppy Mill Cause, by Peggy Race , Their Little Keeter, by Eric Forrest, Homeward Hounds by Karen Roberts and Not Norman by Kelly Bennett. Time length: 20-25 minutes. We encourage parents to stay with their children during the stories and activities.
Full Color Pastel Caricature Drawings!
Sudden art will be doing Full Color Pastel Caricature drawings of your pet on site at the Great Iowa Pet Expo this year! Each drawing will take about 10-15 minutes and they will have two artists creating them! Cost is $10/drawing.
Canine Good Citizen Testing (CGC)
by Canine Craze Training Center
The Canine Good Citizen Program stresses responsible ownership and the importance of a well-mannered dog. The Canine Good Citizen Test has ten parts. Each part of test consists of regular, everyday occurrences. A normal, well-behaved dog should have no difficulty passing.
1: Allowing a friendly stranger to approach.
2: Sitting calmly and politely to be pet.
3: Allowing handling for grooming and physical examination.
4: Heeling politely on a loose lead.
5: Walking calmly through crowded areas.
6: Sit on command, and down on command.
7: Coming when called.
8: Greeting another well-behaved dog without aggression or excitement.
9: Handling distractions and distracting environments.
10: Behaving well when in the care of another and the owner or trusted handler is out of sight.
Traveling to The Great Iowa Pet Expo?
Check out our lodging deals here:
Econo Lodge
(right across the street from the fairgrounds!)
410 E 30th St
Des Moines, IA 50317
515-262-2525
Receive a 15 % discounted rate by booking through this link:
www.econolodge.com
OR
You may call and give them the Block Name: Great Iowa Pet Expo