Celebrities Support the NYC Pet Show and Adoptapalooza

Today was a great day to be a dog in New York. There were two wonderful events scheduled, both of which were perfect for some weekend doggie fun.

For those wanting to be inside and shop with your dog, the NYC Pet Show, held from 11-5 at the Metropolitan Pavilion, was an excellent choice. It was a joint effort between CCK Global Events and the American Pet Products Association where the urban pet lover could find out about new products and get advice on common issues that arise for pet owners. 

The event consisted of vendors, meet & greets with dog experts and celebrities, seminars and panel discussions. Among other industry experts, Celebrity Groomer Jorge Bendersky gave grooming advice to dog owners, 2006 Westminster Best in Show Winner Rufus greeted guests, and Babette Haggerty offered training tips. The seminars were run by dog experts Charlotte Reed, Julie Szabo, Emily Goldfisher and Beth LaPierre and covered topics ranging from money saving tips for pet owners to advice on where to travel with your pet this summer. 

Celebrity appearances included David Frei, co-host of USA Network’s annual telecast of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, and James, the English Springer Spaniel who won Best in Show in 2007. We also spotted Maria Milito from Q 104.3, Greg Oehler, and dog trainer Greg Kleva, host of Sirius Radio's "It's a Dog's Life", in the crowd. Sponsors included the American Cancer Society, Pet-a-Potty, Animal Medical Center, the ASPCA, Bideawee, Peoplepets.com, the New York Post, Leashes and Lovers and Angel on a Leash, among others.

People were very excited to have the opportunity to meet "The Dog Whisperer" Cesar Millan, and were already lined up at 11 am to meet him several hours later. By the time he arrived, Eli and I had already left for another event, the Adoptapalooza in Washington Square Park.

The Adoptapalooza was a nice contrast after being inside shopping at the NYC Pet Show, and had a different aim, simply of giving cats and dogs new homes, which is always a very noble cause. Coordinated by the The Mayor's Alliance for NYC, adoptable dogs and cats were available from the Animal Care & Control of NYC, Sean Casey Animal Rescue, the Picasso Veterinay Fund, all in North Shore Animal League adoption vans.

Early in the day, "The Bachelor" Lorenzo Borghese hosted an "Adoptable Dog Trot" so interested adopters could see the dogs available for placement. Sheryl Matthys, author of "Leashes and Lovers: What Your Dog Can Teach You About Love, Life and Happiness" also had a book signing, before heading over to the NYC Pet Show, for which she was also a sponsor.

At the Adoptapalooza, there was also a dog agility demonstration by Renee Payne of Walk This Way Canine Behavior Therapy, and a dog costume contest, hosted by Maria Sansone, the host of LX NY "Maria's Pet Project", and Tinsley Mortimer from CW's High Society. Other celebrities in attendance included Andrea Arden and Ali McLennan from Animal Planet's Underdog to Wonderdog, Shallon Lester and Sarah "Klo" McLynn from MTV's Downtown Girls, and Zach Braff.

The joint effort of all the organizations, celebrities, dog experts and owners supporting this cause was a great success. When we left to return to the NYC Pet Show, there had already been 10 animals adopted and placed in their forever homes.

For those interested, the NYC Pet Show will continue tomorrow, Sunday, May 23, from 11-5 at the Metropolitan Pavilion. Information for the event can be found at NYC Pet Show. If you would rather be outside, you can also participate in the Hope & Heroes Children's Cancer Fund 5k Walkathon at Riverside Park at 10:30 am. Or you can do what many New York dog owners do and attend both!