I visited Pet Express’ dog and cat expo

What is Pet Express’ dog and cat expo

Pet Express is a pet store chain in the Philippines, offering quality pet products and professional services, and they’re commonly seen in popular malls.

For many years now, they have been holding dog and cat expos where furparents and furbabies alike can go for discounted purchases, paw-some activities and tail-wagging freebies. This is also a huge opportunity for exhibitors to showcase their pet products and services, and ultimately attract new customers.

The expo usually runs for three whole days, from Friday to Sunday.

And the best parts are: (1) registration is not required, (2) admission is free!

Tips for when you visit a pet expo

If you’re a first-time pet expo visitor like us, we have the following tips for you (which we learned from experience the hard way). 😅

1. Read on the pet expo’s FAQs. This helps set your family’s expectations. Mum did this yet she still got overwhelmed by the expo’s big crowd. Starting to become agoraphobic now, huh, Mum?🧐
   
2. Make a list of what you want to do. What are your expo goals? Are you going to go shopping, or will you just look around? Do you want to discover new brands, or do you have your eye on something in particular? The pet expo venue is a big place, with lots of booths to visit. So if you don’t have a goal, you’ll end up wasting effort and time because you will literally go in circles.
   
3. Prepare loads of patience and understanding. The number of furparents in the Philippines is growing steadily — the expo’s large turnout is testament to that. So, expect long lines and not-so quick service from exhibitors (especially since visitors greatly outnumber the booths’ staff members). Just remember, the crowd consists of your fellow pet-lovers, and like you, they just want to get the best for their furbaby.

4. Wear comfortable outfit — you and your furbaby. Trust me, both of you will do a lot of walking (Mum said an hour in Pet Express’ pet expo felt like a leg-day workout), unless of course you put your furbaby in a stroller or carrier. So, furparents, wear something that will allow you to walk for hours and withstand the long lines.
   
5. Get fed and hydrated before going in. As visiting a pet expo feels like working out, make sure that both you and your furbaby have the strength to go around. There are free samples of food here and there, yes, but you don’t want neither of you to pass out due to hunger or dehydration. So, better to have your tummies prepared as well.
6. Bring your furbaby’s vaccination card, and make sure it’s updated. While this is not required, it proved to be worthwhile because there was a booth that offered free anti-rabies vaccination and vet consultation, as long as you have your furbaby’s vaccination card or booklet with you. Mum claims she didn’t know about this despite having read the expo’s Facebook page and seeing related Tiktoks, so she was pleasantly surprised when the doc began preparing a syringe and anti-rabies vial for me. I felt so betrayed! I thought we were to have fun only, but alas, I got injected that day.

Anyway, it’s also important to ensure that your furbaby’s vaccination card is updated because they will meet a lot of other furbabies, and you don’t want your furbaby contracting sicknesses or diseases, right? (I realize, maybe this should be Tip number 1? 🧐)

7. Don’t be shy to ask for mechanics on how to join booth activities. Many of the exhibitors offer freebies in exchange for small tasks like following their social media accounts, posting a story and tagging them etc. Not bad, right?
8. Socialize. Like humans, dogs are social beings. It’s normal for us to sniff each other’s butts or noses (apparently, that’s one of the ways we get to know each other). I made lots of new friends in the expo, although I have to admit, I was shy (and scared) at first. I’m not really sure why, but Mum’s guess is I’m just not used to seeing a lot of other dogs around me, because usually it’s just me and my sister, Pepsi. Alternatively, it may be because I know I’m in unfamiliar territory.
9. Take pictures and videos. It’s not every day that you and your furaby get to experience a cat and dog ‘fiesta’, so make sure to capture this special moment that you can cherish forever. Luckily, there was a photo booth offering free photo opp for fur families.

As I write this, the pet expo has already concluded.

If you missed it, don’t worry. I’m sure there will be many more in the future. In the meantime, you can watch my Tiktok to see the fun I had in this year’s pet expo.

And should there be another one next year and you decide to join, I hope you keep my tips in mind.

But, if you were able to go to Pet Express’ dog and cat expo 2025, tell me about it! Better yet, share your tips with us and fellow fur-families, too!

I’d love to hear your thoughts. 🐾