Microchipping so they don’t lose their loved ones, acupuncture for relieving their aches and pains, and plenty of grass for doing their business.

What more could a pet ask for?

To experience all of these activities and then some, pets and their owners can come out to Truckee River Regional Park on Saturday for the inaugural Pet Expo from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

---

---

“We want to bring out an awareness on how to take care of animals, but we also know it’s fun to have a pet,” said Michael Jacobs, manager of Scrap’s Dog Bakery.

The Pet Expo will range from the educational – like pet adoption information – to the entertaining – like a pet and owner look-alike contest.

---

---

Carol Merjil, from the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe, said she expects 50 vendor and information booths at the event. Most will be animal related, except for the people-food booths where owners can sneak Princess a piece of tri-tip from Moody’s.

Since Merjil and Jacobs first decided to do a Pet Expo in April, the size of the event has grown tremendously, but the focus remains the same: to remind people in Truckee that there is a local Humane Society.

“Particularly in this town there isn’t enough support for the Humane Society,” Jacobs said. “They have no shelter and still maintain a no-kill philosophy.”

Admission to the Pet Expo is free. On-leash pets are welcome.

Truckee’s first-ever Pet Expo

Demonstrations

— noon to 1 p.m.: Positive dog training techniques

— 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.: Search and rescue dogs

— 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Canine agility course exhibitions

— 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.: Working sled dog presentation

Contests

— 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.: Pet/owner look alike, best pet trick, 11-legged race

More events

— 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Dog wash ($5)

— 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.: Shot clinic, microchipping

— All day: Pet adoptions

Vendors and people food will also be available.