Animal Rescue Expo boasts creative solutions for pets
A day at an expo in Bryanston tailored for animal lovers, pet owners, and curious minds.
As many as 60 animal rescue and rehabilitation organisations gathered at the Bryanston Market on 40 Culross Road to share amazing, brave, heartwarming and inspirational animal tales and market-ready products.
Read more: Join a fun day out with animal rescue organisations in Bryanston
The outdoor event, held on October 6, saw Johannesburg pet owners bring their pets along for a day out bonding in the sun.
Event co-organiser Dean Bush explained how the need for an expo which included pets in the festivities came about.
“We set up the Rescue Expo as a company called The Rescue Collective, and this is the third year that we are running this expo,” said Bush on the growing venture. “Venues are problematic, but one of the reasons why we like hosting this event at this venue is that people can bring their pets – which is a big plus.”
Bush added the expo followed a strict criterion for selecting exhibitioners, stating that the expo refrained from hosting unregistered entities purporting to be operating within the animal rescue space.
Also read: Animal welfare steps in to save Ali the dog from her torturer in Bryanston
“We’re bringing rescues to the fore, showing people what different organisations are doing. It takes a lot of hard work and effort to put it all together. As we finish, we start planning for the next one. Marketers have to adhere to minimal standards. For example, if you’re adopting a pet from them, they have to be sterilised and vaccinated; they need to be registered as a non-profit company to be here.”
The exhibition was also an eye-opener in terms of realising the variety of products that are available for pets.
“There’s doggie ice cream and all sorts of stuff. I mean, the people of South Africa are obsessed with their pets,” Bush laughed, remarking on the creativity on display by exhibitioners, including a food truck selling dog treats. “I feel each organisation is quite innovative in what they come up with [in terms of stalls and exhibitions] because everybody is trying to raise funds.”
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