BOB AND JAN KAIN are not just cuddling with puppies at last year›s Pet Expo at Jack Kain Ford, but are wrestling with their niece Ashton Fister as to who gets to take the puppies home! This year’s Pet Expo will be held at Jack Kain Ford on Saturday, June 20, from noon until 4 p.m., with a rain date on the following Saturday, June 27 (Photo by Donna Sturgeon)
Jack Kain Ford, located on Versailles Road/U.S. 60 just east of the Bluegrass Parkway, is hosting its third annual Pet Expo, hoping for a large turnout to celebrate the special bond folks have with animals. The event will be held Saturday, June 20, from noon until 4 p.m. The rain-out day will be the following Saturday, June 27, at the same time and place. The entire event – attendance and parking – is free.
Pet Expo brings together a large group of dog and cat rescues, shelter-related businesses, food trucks and family-friendly entertainment in one location.
“Think of it as a giant ‘meet and greet’,” said Donna Sturgeon, Jack Kain Ford’s marketing manager. “Everyone will have the chance to meet 11 rescue organizations with many wonderful, adoptable animals looking for their forever home. If they happen to fall in love with a new friend, then the adoption process can begin directly with the rescue after the event.”
The goal of the event is to encourage these “love connections,” in the context of thoughtful, responsible adoptions . . . not spur-of-the-moment decisions. If an adoption takes place, then the custody of the animal occurs a week or so later.
Pet Expo encourages folks to bring their own pets to the event, whether an adoption is being planned or not. If bringing a pet, it must remain leashed at all times and under the owner’s control.
The participating rescues and shelters are: Kentucky Hopeful Paws, Chico’s Safe Haven Bully Rescue,
Jessamine County Animal Care & Control, Henry Trimble Animal Shelter, the Woodford Humane Society, Making A Difference NOW, Puppy Love KY, Kentucky PAWS, Pawsitive Change Matters Most, Lifehouse for Animals and Boston Terrier Rescue of East Tennessee/Kentucky Division.
And, companion animals will not be the only four-legged friends on hand to visit and interact with. There will be Scottish Highland cattle that can be petted, rescued donkeys and dwarf Nigerian goats.
The “Pet Parents Vendor Village” will feature businesses and organizations offering products and services designed specifically for pets and pet owners, ranging from treats and nutrition products to handmade pet accessories, training resources, health services and specialty items.
Food trucks at the event will offer a variety of lunch and snack offerings, and personalities from Z-Rock 103.3, Hot 102.5, K92.9 and WVLK-AM 590 will spin tunes from the main stage with giveaways, pet demonstrations, audience participation activities and fun pet contests.
General Manager Bob Kain said the event carries special meaning for the dealership.
“Many of us at Jack Kain Ford are pet parents ourselves, so this event is very close to our hearts,” Kain said. “Our pets are part of our families, and we love creating an opportunity for the community to come together, celebrate animals of all kinds and support the people and organizations who care for them. There’s no other event like this in Central Kentucky.”