St. Petersburg became a zoo capital for the week
On 22 June, ExpoForum launched “Zoo Week. White Nights,” a large-scale event for zoo business, food industry, veterinary representatives and animal owners. The project combined b2b- and b2c-formats: exhibition, a rich business programme and striking pet shows. Over 30,000 visitors and more than 10,000 pets are expected during the 4 days to the 40,000 sq. metres of the ExpoForum pavilions.
One of the main events of “Zoo Week” is the 25th International Exhibition of Goods and Services for Pets “Zoosphere. White Nights – 2017.” The key project of the Northwest in this industry assembled over 100 participants, including the main players in the industry: Mishel i K, Ivanko, Petfood, Agilis, Biosfera, Unitex, Doglike, Stek Profi, Globalvet and others. The exhibitors present food and accessories, veterinary medicines and equipment, vitamin supplements, dog and cat grooming equipment, and services for the animals and their owners.
The exhibition business programme is of a practical nature and meets the professional needs of the representatives from zoological, veterinary and animal owner representatives. The dog owner convention covered issues of animal health and reproduction and “dog-fitness.” At the roundtable discussion, members of the Union of Zoo-Business Enterprises examine problems of legislation and certification, protection of animal rights and improving the skill of employees. There will also be a veterinary conference, specialised programmes to attract regional dealers and a tourist programme during the white nights period.
The work of the “Zoosphere” exhibition is accompanied by dog and cat grooming competitions with famous international-class judges. Professionals in their work are chosen at the international competition of groomers, held under the aegis of the European Groomers Association (EGA) with the participation of the stars of European grooming Biagio Chellamare, Roman Fomin, Kitty Dekeersgeiter and Natalia Samoylova. Competitions for aquariumistics and terrariumistics are going on at the same time.
On the zoo weekend, the programme will be supplemented by the “Zoo Show” pet exhibition. This time it will occupy two pavilions, G and H. Pavilion G will be dedicated completely to dogs. The display “All Dogs of the World” will combine over 7,000 animals, where major international exhibitions will occur of dogs of all CACIB-FCI breeds “White Nights” and “RKF President’s Cup” (organised by the St. Petersburg Kennel Club). The historic show “Dogs – Heroes of the Great Patriotic War” will open.
The “Festival of Breeds” will combine about 20 national clubs of different breeds, cynologists and veterinarians. In the interactive area “I Will Have a Dog!” those wishing can consult breeders on selecting “your” dog breed, its care and raising, children can pass with a dog through an obstacle course.
Cat lovers will have a rich programme: in pavilion H the felinological clubs Bastet, CatLand, Varieta, SuperCats, LordCats, Irida, Amr-Neva will hold international exhibitions of pedigreed cats based on the systems FIFE, WACC, WCF, ASC, TICA, FARUS IFA. Over 1,000 cats compete in mono-breed rings of different breeds: leopard, short-haired, semi-longhaired, British, Scottish Fold and others, with also an exhibition-sale of kittens.
At the same time as the cat exhibition in pavilion H there will be a ferret exhibition, the “Rodent Holiday” show, display of reptiles and insects. By tradition, a “pet restaurant” will be open with food and delicacy tasting for the favourite pets.
A “Barnyard” will be operating for the visitors with agricultural animals and a fair of useful products. An entertainment programme has been prepared for the children: pony rides, children’s aquarium design contest, soap bubble show and performances featuring animals.