Calgary animal lovers flock to Spruce Meadows for first-ever PetFest
Calgary animal lovers, owners and educators will be heading to Spruce Meadows this weekend for the venue's first-ever PetFest.
The event is described as a "pet extravaganza" featuring performances, displays, educational demos, charity work — and, of course, a chance to hang out with some animals.
"PetFest was started because we have a love for our community and of animals, so we wanted to bring together both of those great loves into one event," said Spruce Meadow's Krista Poffenroth.
"We’ve really seen how much Calgarians and the surrounding areas love animals."
While there is an intense focus on dogs, every type of animal is shown during the three day event.
A reptile display, for example, includes snakes and a tortoise, while next door, a sloth lazes his way through a tree-lined exhibit.
It’s all complimented by more than 60 local vendors.
"I come to pet events because they’re fun," Cheddar Dogs vendor Danielle Schule said.
"Everybody here just loves their pets a lot, so it’s fun to celebrate with them."
Lisa Wright is a sheep dog trial expert, showing her skills to audiences before the Canadian Championships go this summer in Cypress County.
"It’s not the same as obedience work or trick work, and I think anybody that watches a dog work with a human, to move a different species, thinks it’s very cool," she said.
While it is an event focused on animals, attendees are asked to leave their pets at home.
PetFest runs until Sunday night.
For ticket information or to see opening hours, visit sprucemeadows.com.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP calls out Conservatives for effort to squash pharmacare legislation
The federal New Democrats are calling out Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and his party for trying to block the bill that could pave the way for millions of Canadians to access birth control and diabetes coverage.
Stamp prices rise for the third time in five years amid financial woes for Canada Post
Canada Post is increasing stamp prices for the third time since 2019, a move the Crown corporation says is a "reality" of its sales-based revenue structure.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
A subset of Alzheimer's cases may be caused by two copies of a single gene, new research shows
For the first time, researchers have identified a genetic form of late-in-life Alzheimer’s disease — in people who inherit two copies of a worrisome gene.
Ontario MPP asked again to leave Ontario legislature over keffiyeh, Speaker loosens ban
An Ontario MPP was asked again to leave the Ontario legislature on Monday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment that was banned by the Speaker last month due to its political symbolism.
WATCH Avian flu: Risk to humans grows as outbreaks spread, warns expert
H5N1 or avian flu is decimating wildlife around the world and is now spreading among cattle in the United States, sparking concerns about 'pandemic potential' for humans. Now a health expert is urging Canada to scale up surveillance north of the border.
Trudeau Liberals to unveil new bill Monday aimed at countering foreign interference
Democratic Institutions Minister Dominic LeBlanc will be tabling legislation on Monday aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada. Federal officials have scheduled a technical briefing on the incoming bill for Monday afternoon.