Can a pet look like its owner? That curious question will be answered when hundreds of people bring dressed-up dogs, perky parrots, low-lying lizards and more to Blacktown City Pet Festival on Sunday 29 September.
Blacktown Animal Rehoming Centre (BARC) at 20 Owen Street, Glendenning, will host the festival and people are encouraged to bring their animal offsiders for competitions including: pet most like its owner, best dressed, best trick, shortest pet and tallest pet.
In the main arena, the popular dog agility, dog obedience and sheep herding demonstrations will enthral spectators and offer plenty of education and entertainment.
Other attractions include:
• face painting
• pony rides
• get up close and personal with scaly creatures at the reptile display
• speak to experts and learn about caring for your pet
Free microchipping (a legal requirement for cats and dogs) and veterinary services will be provided for Blacktown City residents' pets.
The festival promotes the benefits of responsible pet ownership. Entry is free.
Blacktown City Council CEO, Kerry Robinson OAM, said the event was a great opportunity to share the joys of caring for a pet.
"Pets have enriched the lives of many people by giving their owners companionship, responsibility and an appreciation of the animal world," he said.
Council recently made a major investment in the wellbeing of stray, lost and abandoned animals by opening the Blacktown Animal Rehoming Centre in 2023.
The largest facility of its kind in the southern hemisphere, the centre is a best practice care and education facility. Its team has cared for 1,777 animals in the past 12 months.
Mr Robinson encouraged people to visit and learn how they could help.
"There are many loveable cats and dogs needing good homes at the centre and I encourage people to adopt if they can," he said.
