Pedigree and Whiskas Pet Show, at all-new Festival City venue

The annual Dubai Pedigree and Whiskas Pet Show, which has gained significant momentum since the first event in 1988, will this year be better than ever promising even more pet-centric fun; including pet beauty competitions, exceptional displays of intelligence and skill and other fun events, all aimed at celebrating the joys of owning, and caring for a pet.

Last year's show, which marked a milestone in the event's history with celebrations for its 20th year, attracted approximately 30,000 pet-owners, trainers and animal lovers, while approximately 1,000 canine friends participated in the day's events.

The event will feature a wide variety of entertainment for children and their families, including fairground rides, clowns, stilt walkers and balloon benders alongside a bouncy castle and face painting. What's more, the popular craft village, packed with pet-themed gifts and merchandise, will be located onsite.

"The annual pet show presented by Pedigree and Whiskas is not only a fun day out for animal lovers and their pets and families, but it is a very important occasion for highlighting the joys, challenges and best practices for caring for our four-legged friends,"

explained Jennifer Paoli, Petcare Marketing Manager at Mars.

"Pedigree and Whiskas are brands that are designed to care for the health and nutritional needs of dogs and cats; and by gathering together vets, animal specialists and pet owners all on the same site - we are creating a very special forum that gives a 360 degree overview of pet care, in an informative and fun setting."

As in previous years, the day's activities revolve around the main event: the Pedigree Dog Show competition, which will be judged by four dog-show specialist judges from the United Kingdom, including Marion Spavin. Spavin has officiated at prestigious international shows, including Crufts, the world's largest Dog Show.

Cat lovers can also visit a specialised Whiskas Cat Tent - in partnership with local cat-loving charity Feline Friends, to view a number of different breeds of cats - ranging from the beautiful and elegant to the cute and cuddly.
A dedicated veterinary tent at the show will provide free, on-the-spot advice and support for pet owners regarding pet care, in addition to offering loads of tips on ensuring that pets get the correct amount of exercise, food and water.

In addition, a fun, animal activity centre will be open onsite for dogs that are not participating in the competition, which will include a dog play ground and a dog behaviour specialist, and will host loads of exciting competitions for pets and their owners throughout the day.

Demonstrating canine intelligence - police dog training officers from the Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain police departments will be holding fascinating demonstrations; showing off the dogs' extraordinary crime-fighting skills in the search for illicit substances and weapons.

"Once again, the Pedigree and Whiskas show promises to be a fantastic fun day out for all the family, and we are really looking forward to spending a great day with so many beautiful pets and their devoted owners," concluded Paoli.
There will be a nominal entrance fee to the all-day pet event of just 5 AED per adult (kids go in free), with all proceeds going to UAE-based pet-friendly charities Feline Friends and K9 Friends.

Pedigree and Whiskas pet food have been developed by veterinarians and scientists to ensure that pets are provided with the best in balanced nutrition. Pedigree and Whiskas have spent the last 60 years developing a range of pet food that gives pets the variety they need, with the right amount of protein, fibre and vitamins - specific to each stage of a pet's life.