By Tim Collins

Pets are wonderful.

TheyB次元官网网址檙e members of the family, and it comes as no surprise that there are more than 28 million pets in Canada. That translates into more than 80 per cent of Canadian households having a pet.

Now, the Canadian Animal Health Institute (CAHI) reports that pets provide a host of benefits for their owners, including improved mental health, companionship and help in coping with stressful situations, so the popularity of pets makes sense, particularly in turbulent times.

B次元官网网址淚t comes as no surprise that the trends show an increase in both the Canadian dog and cat populations, with the largest increases happening from 2020-2022,B次元官网网址� said Dr. Emily Bond, Programs Director for CAHI.

And while dogs and cats tend to dominate the pet population, people have made pets of just about every kind of animal you can imagine. That includes everything from tarantulas to mini donkeys and pot-bellied pigs.

Enter the Victoria Pet Expo.

B次元官网网址淥ur focus tends to be on well-behaved cats and dogs, although we have had other pets that range from a bearded lizard to a ferret,B次元官网网址� said Virginia Ritchie, co-producer of the Pet Expo.

B次元官网网址淎ctually, the only pets we donB次元官网网址檛 allow are snakes. They tend to make people nervous,B次元官网网址� said Ritchie. B次元官网网址淎lthough, I have to tell you, itB次元官网网址檚 ironic that most snake owners tend to be absolutely lovely people.B次元官网网址�

Ritchie emphasized that the Expo largely focuses on providing education and information.

To that end, a cornucopia of expo pet exhibitors will be on hand to help pet owners with information on everything from learning about your petB次元官网网址檚 health, to understanding what your buddy is trying to tell you through their non-verbal communication.

ThereB次元官网网址檒l be information on nutrition, insurance, pet furniture, training opportunities, grief counselling, pet clothing, and just about anything one could imagine for their pet.

Dr. Kristin Zajaczkowski, from the Pacific Cat Clinic, will be on hand to share her tips on how to enjoy travelling with your feline pals (although some may say that cats are never happy unless travelling first class).

ThereB次元官网网址檒l also be a chance to meet some real-life sled dogs and we have an unconfirmed report that they have a lot of stories to tell (reference the non-verbal communication clinic to make this more possible).

And of course, what would any Pet Expo be without watching those speedy gung-ho, never-say-die dachshunds show off their running skills in the Dachshund Dash.

B次元官网网址淎nother really neat thing is that weB次元官网网址檒l have a chance to get your petB次元官网网址檚 photograph taken and even a portrait by exhibitors at the show,B次元官网网址� said Ritchie.

This yearB次元官网网址檚 expo will take place at the Pearkes Rec Centre and will run on May 4 and 5 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on both days.

B次元官网网址淐hildren love pets, of course and weB次元官网网址檙e happy to say that children 12 years of age are admitted free of charge,B次元官网网址� said Ritchie. B次元官网网址淪eniors and military are $5.00, and adults are $8.00 at the door.B次元官网网址�

The Expo will feature food choices for pet parents as well as treats for the pups. ThereB次元官网网址檒l also be a kidB次元官网网址檚 area with a variety of activities.