Pittsburgh Pet Expo highlights competitions, adoptions, stage shows

There’s no reason to leave your best friend at home when other members of the family attend this year’s edition of the Pittsburgh Pet Expo.

Pets on leashes also are welcome at the annual three-day event Nov. 15-17 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.

Billed as the largest consumer pet trade show on the East Coast, the event features three days of competitions, demonstrations, adoptions, giveaways, continuous stage shows and shopping.

In addition to perennial favorite events ranging from a diving dog competition to a pet costume contest, the Pet Expo will feature new entertainment, including chicken races, hermit crab races, stunt dogs, a Cat Fanciers Association cat show and an exotic bird show.

“It’s a perfect day out for the entire family – parents, kids, even the family pet since there are plenty of ways for pets to take part in the activities,” said Rocco Lamanna, manager of the Pet Expo. “If you’re looking to add a new member to the family, be sure to check out the many adoption opportunities offered by local animal shelters and rescue groups.”

More than 250 vendors will be set up offering pet-related products and services, in addition to shelter and rescue organizations with pets looking for their forever home.

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A few of the show highlights include:

Laurel Highlands Working Dogs will host a Weight Pulling competition sanctioned by the World Wide Weight Pull Organization (W3PO). Trained dogs pull a weighted cart in single-eliminations until only the strongest dog remains. Dogs registered in advance can participate.

Bill Middleton, known as the Bird Man from Atlantic City’s boardwalk, will teach visitors about macaws while three of his favorite feather friends play basketball, go shopping, ride bicycles and have their photos taken with guests at the Exotic Bird Show.

The UpDog Challenge will combine dogs, humans and Frisbees for a race to accumulate the most points in a variety of live games held all three days of the expo in the Animal Arena.

Carnegie Museum Live Animal Encounter will introduce animals from around the world and share fascinating facts about them in 30-minute shows featuring reptiles, birds and mammals.

Crab Races will invite guests to select their favorite crab from more than 100 natural shell land hermit crabs to participate. After the race, guests can adopt the crab and check out crabitats and supplies.

Besides the fun activities, experts will be on hand to help answer pet owners’ questions about dog behavior issues, how to care for disabled dogs, pet safety in the home, first aid for injured pets and how to teach an old dog – or a young dog – new tricks.