PREPARATION

Here are the most important tips that will help ensure everyone’s safety and happiness.

• Pre-register online if it’s offered, to save yourself the hassle of lining up at the venue.

• Check out the program of the event and note which events you’d like to see and what talks you’d like to listen to. You might even want to check out which booths offer discounts or freebies if you Instagram or post on Facebook a photo of your pet with their chosen theme.

• Come prepared at all times to clean up after your pet. This is a nonnegotiable, as refusing to clean up after your pet is inconsiderate and thoughtless―and probably means you are a bad pet owner. Put yourself in a potential victim’s shoes: nothing is more inconvenient than stepping in poop at a public place. What if they slip and hurt themselves? Karma always comes back, after all. Bring newspaper and small biodegradable bags for this purpose.

• If you’re going to see an expert, why not prepare 1-3 questions you’d like answered? Don’t go for ordinary questions like “What should I feed my cat or dog?” Ask something about the person’s field of expertise that directly addresses any concerns you have with your pet.

• Bring your pet’s complete upto-date vaccination record if you’re

• Speaking of shopping, if you’re going to an event with a bazaar, measure your pet before the event: weight, length, height, collar size, and whatever else you may need to measure for what you intend to buy. Save it on your mobile phone so that you won’t have to fumble in your bag or pockets for a printout. going to let it interact with other animals. This can come in handy especially with the era of mandatory pet registration looming over us. Plus it certifies that your pet can safely interact with others without the risk of either passing on or contracting a deadly disease.

• If you’re headed for an adoption event, bring a carrier for your new family member or a leash, if it’s a dog. Also, be prepared to hurdle an interview about your home and lifestyle habits; don’t be offended, because the animal welfare group adopting out dogs or cats is simply making sure you will be a good and responsible owner for what is often an abandoned or abused pet. Prepare some cash for the adoption fee, which is almost always cheaper than vaccinating and spaying/neutering the animal yourself (most adoptable animals already have their shots and have been thoroughly vetted).