It's a Zoo in there
The St Albert Gazette - Wednesday, January 18, 2006 - Anna Borowiecki

Fifth annual Pet Expo draws in animal lovers and industry experts of the companion animal world

The best way to describe this past weekend’s 5th Annual Pet Expo is organized chaos. A non-stop stream of animal lovers strolled into Northlands Sportex as dogs barked madly, macaws squawked, goats bleated and a camel brayed. And the crowds lapped it up.

Organized by Family Productions Inc., Pet Expo was a two-day consumer trade show that promoted companion animals and their lifestyles. It offered a proportionate number of special attractions, pet adoptions, educational demos and a hands-on petting zoo. Breeders, marketers, service providers and craftsmen flogged their wares with everything from food, books, beds, blankets, toys, stylists and personal accessories.

Perhaps the most entertaining attraction was Barkin’ Mad’s flyball and agility fun demos. Dogs of every breed and colour, from Chihuahuas and border collies to golden retrievers and German shepherds, raced through a circuit. During demos many spirited animals would break form and run their own course backed by the audience’s delighted cheers.

Balancing the more frivolous booths were exhibits such as Animal Control, which offered workshops on microchip/tattooing and spay/neuter.

One booth that had people of all ages pressed against the glass cages was Dean Harper’s Wrappin’ About Reptiles. The crowds were at once curious and skittish about his creepy-crawly companions — a Chilean rose tarantula, an inland bearded dragon and numerous boa constrictors and pythons.

One animal that drew a lot of attention was Kim, a six-year-old female bull snake that Brad Pitt handled during his filming of Jesse James. But because of a nondisclosure agreement, Harper isn’t permitted to discuss Kim’s exploits until the film is released.

Harper is a full-time educational speaker and reptile wrangler based in Olds. His extensive collection houses about 300 reptiles, arachnids, amphibians and bugs that he takes to schools and fairs.

Many of his reptiles have scored scenes in commercials and movies, including Dead Simple, Little House on the Prairie and Shanghai Noon. "Models are even using them. It looks seductive and it shows the agency she’s willing to push the boundaries handling a snake. It shows she’s willing to push the edge," said Harper.

His main focus at this show is educational. He’d like open people’s eyes to the wonders of the reptile world, but knows it’s an uphill battle. Since Adam and Eve, reptiles have been looked upon with loathing and fear. "If one person who is terrified touches an animal we have out here, I’ve succeeded," he said.

In addition to the live reptiles, Harper has borrowed from Environment Canada a handful of confiscated objects that were made from reptiles on an endangered species list. "Smuggling and trafficking in the world is a higher grossing industry than drug trafficking."

He points to a pair of iguana skin boots, an African rock python skin, an alligator head and a Hawksbill turtle shell. "See that alligator head, there was a $700 fine. But the guy with the turtle shell got 15 years in jail."

Another educational exhibit dispensed some winged wisdom.

Feathered Friends Avian Rescue and Resource Association (FFARRA), a relatively fledgling organization, is a charity that attempts to find new homes for unwanted, neglected and abused pets. Since it got off the ground four years ago, it’s placed 60 parrots in permanent homes.

"Having a parrot is a lot of responsibility. A budgie can live up to 15 years, a macaw up to 100 years. The average is 40 years. Some birds outlive their owners. It’s a big commitment to make and they are living longer as we know more about avian medicine," said president Isabelle Kamal.

The St. Albert resident never had an interest in parrots until her husband gave her one. "I was amazed at how much intelligence and personality was packed into one bird and it tweaked my interest."

Kamal tried to find a companion for her bird through a local rescue organization, but no group was found. Joining forces with close friend Keri Wood, they founded FFARRA.

At fairs such as Pet Expo people are attracted to the parrots, macaws and cockatoos because of their exotic beauty, vibrant colours and the possibility they might speak.

While some owners are captivated by birds’ beauty, they can be unprepared by how noisy and socially demanding the birds become.

"If they don’t have things to keep them busy, they can become very unhappy."

People usually give the parrots up to FFARRA when they reach sexual maturity, a time when the birds become louder and messier. "They’re still wild. They don’t have the tailored behaviour of dogs and cats."

For Kamal, the expo was an annual opportunity to educate the bird-loving community about adopting parrots, and not just from breeders. "Before producing more, we’re encouraging people to adopt those that need a home."

At the moment FFARRA has 10 birds ready for adoption in Edmonton and Calgary and one in Grande Prairie. For more information call 470-4179 or email admin@parrotrescue.ca.

One exhibit that appeared to entice parents and children alike was Discovery Wildlife Park. The Innisfail park goes into hibernation during winter months and it was an opportunity for park owners and staff to visit Pet Expo with a patient camel, an ill-tempered Japanese macaque monkey and a movie star bear.

Betty the Bear was the biggest draw, having starred in numerous films including Globe winner Brokeback Mountain and Doctor Doolittle 2.

Betty, an eight-year-old, 880-pound Kodiak bear, was born in captivity.

As bears go Betty has a mellow personality and a very strong connection with trainer Mary Labarge. "She’s very sweet. She’s the blonde of the bear world. She’s very cute. She’s not the sharpest tack on the block. She’s ditsy," chuckled Labarge.

When Labarge says "time to go to work," a look crosses Betty’s face that resembles a child saying, "Aw, mom, do we have to." But she dutifully lumbers into position. As Labarge spoon-feeds her salmon and cooked ham, Betty sits, waves, puts a paw on her nose, holds her paws together and smiles.

All the while Betty performs these tricks, families in small groups stand two feet behind her and have their picture taken for $20. And in the afternoon session her brother Whopper paints pictures for $75 a pop.

But as Betty works and performs on command, a collective whispering seeps out of the crowd, "Isn’t she cute." The image the crowd develops is that bears are friendly, cuddly and touchable. But reports of bear maulings in national parks each summer are more the reality.

Still, for pet lovers it was an opportunity to get up close and personal with the more unusual members of the animal kingdom and collect free samples for their affable companions at home.

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