Does your pet have an amazing talent? Then it’s a good thing that bragging rights are up for grabs because this is your pet’s chance to strut their stuff and show all the other divas how it’s done! Contest winners will be determined by audience applause. To enter (all pets are welcome), bring your terrifically talented pet to the Contest Stage at 1:30PM on Saturday and 1:50PM on Sunday, and make sure they’re ready to awe and inspire us all with their mad skills!

Show off your pet dressed in their best costume for the super popular The Costume Contest! Each pet must wear a costume to be eligible and winners will be determined by audience applause. To enter, review your entertainment schedule.

Well, it’s not exactly an “hour,” but close enough! Your best pet friend performs the catchy “song of their people” just for the garbage man each Tuesday and howls for their dinner like it’s an Olympic sport, so here’s your chance to let them impress us as well and win some extra cool prizes too! The Pet Yappy Hour: Best Bark and Howl Contest consists of three categories: “best bark”, “most impressive howl”, and “most surprising/unique bark or howl (meaning ‘Wow! How did that sound come from that pooch?!’)”. Contest winners will be determined by our emcee and audience feedback. Arroo! Don't miss the Pet Happy Hour: Best Bark and Howl Contest at 1:10PM & 4:20PM on Saturday and 1:10PM on Sunday at the Contest Stage.

Musical Chairs is a doggy variation of the classic children’s game. Music plays as handlers walk with their dogs off-leash counter-clockwise around a rectangular area. A line of chairs (with alternating chairs facing in opposite direction) runs down the center of the rectangle. When the music stops, the handlers instruct their dogs to sit by verbal request and/or hand signal only (i.e., without touching them) and rush to sit on a vacant chair in the center of the rectangle. Oh - and did we hear the phrase “awesome prizes to be won”? Yep, we’re pretty sure that’s been a totally true rumor making the rounds. Please make your way to the Contest Stage by 11:25AM or 4:35 on Saturday and by 11:45AM on Sunday to enter.

Often when brave men and women are serving in a war zone they find themselves adopting one of the many stray dogs or cats that are struggling to survive there.

These soldiers are not only a salvation for the animal; the dogs or cats are often described as 'lifelines' to their soldier, providing a respite from war, a moment of peace, home and love.

When the soldier's tour of duty comes to an end, it is unthinkable to leave their four legged comrade that they've bonded with, behind.

Nowzad, a 501c3 based in the USA, arranges for the animal to travel to the safety of the Nowzad clinic, where we then provide shelter for the animal as well as vaccinations.

We also spay/neuter ALL rescues and provide any required medical attention. Then, we carry out all necessary checks and paperwork to get the dog or cat to their loving forever home – wherever it is in the world.

Our amazing family of supporters never cease to amaze us how they rally to reach the target necessary to get the much loved dog or cat home to their new life. To date Nowzad has helped over 1200 soldiers to be reunited with their four legged buddy from Afghanistan. www.nowzad.com

Pen F

Founder and CEO; the Nowzad charity

Did you know that one of the best parts of obedience training is that it’s a fantastic opportunity to strengthen your bond with Fido? Well, not only that, it’s also a fabulous way to earn worldwide acclaim (well, maybe not “worldwide,” but the Phoenix Pet Expo’s acclaim and that’s pretty much the same thing). Let your pooch prove how clever they are by playing our version of “Simon Says” and see how quickly they respond to three of the following commands (using whichever voice or hand signal that you’ve taught to elicit the action): “back up”, “come” (you may not call the dog’s name for this command), “lay down”, “drop it”, “give it to me”, “heel”, “leave it”, “pick it up”, “go to place”, “play dead”, “roll over”, “shake”, “sit”, “speak”, “stand” (only from a sitting or down position), and “stay”. Positive Reinforcement training methods only, please. Simon Says consists of two categories: “best obedience overall” and “E-for-Effort” (for the pooch who gave it their all, but didn’t even come close to being in the running). Contest winners will be determined by our emcee and audience feedback. You know how well Fido listens to you open that box of treats; let’s see how well they listen to basic commands and win some cool stuff too! Don't miss the Simon Says Obedience Competition at 2:40PM on Saturday 

According to a recent study at the University of Arizona’s Human-Animal Research Initiative, kissing your best canine friend could be good for your health. That’s great news for those of you who happen to know that YOUR best canine friend gives the very best slobbery smooches! Why, you ask? Because you and your pooch not only have a shot at some amazing photo opps, but the pooch deemed the “Numero Uno with the Very Best Slobbery Smooches” at this year’s Phoenix Pet Expo will not only be the envy of bazillions of other canines and their companions, but you’ll both win some super awesome prizes! Be there or be square! Don't miss the Slobbery Smooches Pet Kissing Competition™ at 12:35PM & 3:50PM on Saturday and at 12:35PM on Sunday at the Contest Stage.