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WILKES-BARRE — Holding up an alligator, zookeeper Geordi Hall educated a large group all about the species and reptiles in general before moving onto a very relaxed bearded dragon and, finally, a giant snake.
Garnering interest and curiosity from children and parents pulling out phones to snap a photo, the live demonstration was just one of the highlights of Saturday’s Pet Expo at the Kingston Armory to benefit the SPCA of Luzerne County.
Subaru of Wyoming Valley acted as the presenting sponsor for the expo.
In its third year, event coordinator Nancy Derwin said the expo featured a variety of activities, vendors, exhibits and more for people and pets alike.
Several types of animals were on display and patrons also had the option to bring their own pets.
“It’s amazing,” Derwin said as she looked around the floor of the armory. “It’s somewhere where a family can come out with their pets.”
More than 80 vendors filled the floor for the expo, offering everything from home fragrance to chew toys. A rabies and microchip clinic was held earlier in the day.
“Today, we’ve been really busy. We’ve had about 2,000 people,” Derwin said of attendance by lunchtime.
For Scranton residents Michelle and Grant Whitney, the pet expo was a good way to help socialize their one-and-a-half year-old Dogue de Bordeaux, Maddie.
The breed is a very powerful mastiff-type dog.
Garnering attention from passersby, the massive brown pooch traveled all the way from a a breeder in Holland to be the Whitneys’ new pet and show dog.
The family said they attend the expo every year and enjoy seeing other dogs, frequenting favorite vendors and more.
“It’s good socialization. It simulates a dog show atmosphere where dogs are walking by each other all the time, and you want to get them used to that,” Michelle added.
‘Create a connection’
Finishing up his second show of the day, zookeeper Hall of Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland invited a group to pet Gazer, a 20-pound boa constrictor.
He said he enjoys working with the SPCA and educating individuals on reptiles while hopefully reducing people’s fears of the animals. Saturday’s demonstrations featured roughly six different reptiles.
“When we get an opportunity to let them make direct contact, they appreciate the animal more. They create a connection,” said Hall. “Years down the line when they find out some species may be endangered, they create a connection and they want to protect that species.”
SPCA executive director Todd Hevner said proceeds from the expo will assist with daily operations at the shelter such as veterinary care, supplies, food and more.
And help couldn’t come at a better time.
“We are at capacity,” he said of the SPCA shelter. “At this point with spring and the warm weather moving in, kitten season is going to get ready to start and we’re really going to ramp up with intake.”
“The community has really come out en masse to support animal welfare as a whole and celebrate the businesses and the good work that a lot of the rescues and shelters are doing in our area,” he continued.
The SPCA is in need of blankets, sheets and laundry detergent, he added.
The Pet Expo continues Sunday.
