Puppy at Pet Lover Show

Vancouver’s Pet Lover Show is an annual event featuring dogs, cats, animal shows and pet product vendors. It’s an amazing event for people who love animals.

In the past the event has happened at the Tradex Centre in Abbotsford in the spring. In 2022, however, it took place on the first weekend in November at the PNE Forum in Vancouver. The 2023 event, however, was cancelled. Whether the event happens in 2024 is to be determined.

The Pet Lover Show in Vancouver

The Pet Lover Show is a popular event where pet owners are welcome to bring their furry friends to get pet advice and check out the latest in pet foods and other pet-related products.

At the event there are workshops, presentations and shows to watch. There are also competitions to enter and vendors selling everything you could ever want for your pet. At the event expect to see dogs, cats, rabbits, birds and even snakes, plus food, toys and miscellaneous gear for them all.

Dandie Terrier at Pet Lover Show

Where and When

In 2022 the Pet Lover Show celebrated its 10th season. It was going to happen on the weekend of March 12th and 13th. The event’s dates, however, were postponed until the fall. The event’s new dates were the Saturday and Sunday of November 5th and 6th. Its new venue was also the Pacific Coliseum at the PNE. The venue’s address is 100 North Renfrew Street.

In the past the event has taken place each year in February or March at the Tradex Centre which is located at 1190 Cornell Street in Abbotsford next to the Abbotsford Airport. Where and when it happens in 2024 or some other future year is to be confirmed, as the event has been postponed once again. Maybe in the late spring or maybe in the fall, and maybe in Abbotsford or maybe again at the Pacific Coliseum.

Admission Prices

In 2022, depending on whether you purchased your tickets in advance online or on the day at the door, admission to the event cost either $14 or $16 for adults. It was also either $10 or $12 for seniors and youth. Admission was free for young children (ages 0 to 5). Family passes cost either $34 or $38. Below are the full details from last year.

Adults – $14 in advance and $16 at the door
Seniors – $10 in advance and $12 at the door
Youth (ages 6 to 15) – $10 in advance and $12 at the door
Family Passes (for two adults and two kids) – $34 in advance and $38 at the door
Children (ages 0 to 5) – free

What to Expect at the Pet Lover Show

When we went a couple of years ago the event featured lots of beautiful furry animals, dog agility lessons, pet massages and various demonstrations. There were also birds of prey on-site.

Below is a description of some of the sights and events from 2022.

Bentley the Bulldog at Pet Lover Show — Bentley the Bulldog

2022 Activities

In 2022 there were lots of things to see and do at the Pet Lovers Show. There were numerous wildlife organizations on-site with animals and informational seminars.

For example, there was an area where you could interact with rabbits from the Rabbitats Rescue Society. You could also enjoy fast-paced shows performed by the SuperDogs team. There were even professionals from the BC Association of Animal Massage & Bodywork offering free massages to pets at the show (but not to their owners).

In addition, over 100 exhibitors were expected to attend. There were lots of pet-related products to explore, such as food, toys and accessories. There were also plenty of things to learn. Booths at the event in 2022 included the Paws For Hope Animal Foundation, BC SPCA Animal Kind, Langley Animal Protection Society, Vancouver Humane Society and the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program.

At the Pet Lover Show there is something for every kind of animal lover (unless all you like are horses, elephants or other larger animals in which case you’ll have to go to a farm, ranch, another country or the Greater Vancouver Zoo instead).

Shows and Demonstrations

There are multiple stages with live entertainment and helpful demonstrations at the Pet Lover Show. Entertainment schedules for each area from 2022 are listed below. Details in future years may be comparable.

The Amazing Dog Stage

Saturday, November 5th, 2022

11:00 am – Puppy Training Demo with the Pacific Assistance Dogs Society
11:30 am – SuperDogs: The Bow Wow Factor!
12:00 pm – Freestyle Dance Team
12:30 pm – Incredible Trick Show
1:00 pm – Frisbee Show
1:30 pm – Nose Work: Happy Sniffing
2:00 pm – SuperDogs: The Bow Wow Factor!
3:30 pm – Nose Work: Happy Sniffing
4:30 pm – Frisbee Show
5:00 pm – Puppy Training Demo with the Pacific Assistance Dogs Society
6:00 pm – SuperDogs: The Bow Wow Factor!

Sunday, November 6th, 2022

10:30 am – SuperDogs: The Bow Wow Factor!
11:00 am – Freestyle Dance Team
11:30 am – Incredible Trick Show
12:00 pm – Nose Work: Happy Sniffing
12:30 pm – Mobility Service Dogs Demo with the Pacific Assistance Dogs Society
1:00 pm – SuperDogs: The Bow Wow Factor!
2:00 pm – Nose Work: Happy Sniffing
3:00 pm – SuperDogs: The Bow Wow Factor!
3:30 pm – CDART: Pet Safety During Disasters and Emergencies
4:00 pm – Mobility Service Dogs Demo with the Pacific Assistance Dogs Society
4:30 pm – Frisbee Show

The Seminar Stage

Saturday, November 5th, 2022

10:30 am – Good Dogs Wear Muzzles
11:00 am – Animal Massage Therapy
1:00 pm – No Bad Cats!
1:30 pm – Jace’s Journey
4:00 pm – Redefining Feline Oral Health
4:30 pm – Canine First Aid
5:30 pm – Animal Massage Therapy
6:00 pm – CPR Techniques for Animals

Sunday, November 6th, 2022

11:00 am – Good Dogs Wear Muzzles
11:30 am – Animal Massage Therapy
12:00 pm – Co-Existing with Wild Neighbours
12:30 pm – No Bad Cats!
1:30 pm – Canine First Aid
2:00 pm – Jace’s Journey
2:30 pm – Redefining Feline Oral Health
3:30 pm – Animal Massage Therapy
4:00 pm – CPR Techniques for Animals

The Weird and Wonderful Stage

Saturday, November 5th, 2022

10:30 am – The Fascinating World of Parrots
11:00 am – Snakes, Lizards and More
1:00 pm – Life With Parrots
1:30 pm – Snakes, Lizards and More
2:30 pm – The Fascinating World of Parrots
4:30 pm – Life With Parrots
5:30 pm – Snakes, Lizards and More

Sunday, November 6th, 2022

11:00 am – The Fascinating World of Parrots
12:00 pm – Life With Parrots
12:30 pm – Snakes, Lizards and More
2:00 pm – The Fascinating World of Parrots
2:30 pm – Snakes, Lizards and More
3:30 pm – Life With Parrots
4:00 pm – Snakes, Lizards and More

For the full lists of featured entertainment and seminars visit the Pet Lover Show website. For the full lineup of exhibitors visit the official Exhibitor List page.

Dog at Abbotsford Pet Lover Show

Tips & Advice

Below are some suggestions and things to know to make the most of your Pet Lover Show experience.

TIP #1: Pets are welcome to the event, and lots of people do bring their dogs. There are sections of the venue where dogs aren’t permitted, however, like in the cat section.

TIP #2: Taking your pet with you can be lots of fun, and a good way to see if your pooch likes the food samples before you buy a giant new bag of organic, vegan and gluten-free gourmet dog food. On the other hand, shopping and browsing with your dog can also have its challenges.

TIP #3: If you take your dog(s) they might get the chance to have a massage, run in a race or “be discovered.” They’ll also have the opportunity to sniff lots of other dogs.

TIP #4: If you take your dog to the show you have to sign a Guest Animal Waiver which says you agree to only bring well-behaved dogs, female dogs that are not in heat and no non-neutered male dogs. The waiver also lists a number of other rules and expectations (all of which seem pretty reasonable).

TIP #5: Watch where you step! There are lots of little dogs walking around, so be careful not to step on one (or something one accidently leaves behind).

Pet Lover Show Video

For an idea of what the Pet Lover Show looks like, check out the following short video clip. It shows scenes of the event when it took place in Abbotsford a few years ago.