Great Iowa Pet Expo

Great Iowa Pet Expo Promoting the health & well-being of Iowa’s companion animals. Educating Iowa pet owners on the impor

Kids heading back to school this month? Your pets are adjusting to the new routine too.With fewer people home during the...
08/24/2026

Kids heading back to school this month? Your pets are adjusting to the new routine too.

With fewer people home during the day, it's a real shift for everybody, and especially your pets. So we put together a checklist to help make the transition easier. Just a few things worth doing this month to help them adjust. 🍎✏

There's a nice mix on the calendar heading into September, Iowa. Here's what we're keeping an eye on:1️⃣ Pints, Pups & I...
08/19/2026

There's a nice mix on the calendar heading into September, Iowa. Here's what we're keeping an eye on:

1️⃣ Pints, Pups & Ice Cream Cones
📅 Saturday, August 29
🕥 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
🏠 Host: Manchester LifeServe Blood Center
📍 5625 NW Johnston Drive, Johnston

2️⃣ Gotcha Day Bash
📅 Saturday, September 5
🕑 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
🏠 Host: PetSmart
📍 5235 Elmore Avenue, Davenport

3️⃣ Paws Into Fall: Puppy Party & Pet Festival
📅 Saturday, September 12
🕑 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
🏠 Host: Village Veterinary Hospital
📍 5305 Merle Hay Road, Johnston

Save this for later! 🐾

Quick question before October: Is your pet's leash gonna work in a crowd?Retractable leashes aren't allowed at the Expo,...
08/13/2026

Quick question before October: Is your pet's leash gonna work in a crowd?

Retractable leashes aren't allowed at the Expo, and we promise it's not an arbitrary rule. With 500 to 600 pets typically attending, a thin cord that extends 15 to 20 feet, wraps around ankles, tangles, and gives you limited ability to react quickly if something startles your pet becomes a hazard real fast.

A standard 4 to 6 foot leash keeps you in control and keep everyone a lot safer in a packed space like the expo floor.

Save this reminder for expo day. 🐾

Some pets leave prints on more than just the couch. 🐾Do you have a tattoo that memorializes what your pet means to you? ...
08/07/2026

Some pets leave prints on more than just the couch. 🐾

Do you have a tattoo that memorializes what your pet means to you? We'd love to check them out. Drop a photo in the comments and tell us a little about the meaning behind the ink.

We might have something pretty special brewing around this idea, so keep your eyes open! 👀

August has plenty on the calendar for Iowa's dogs and their people. If you're looking for something to do this month, he...
08/04/2026

August has plenty on the calendar for Iowa's dogs and their people. If you're looking for something to do this month, here are three events worth having on your radar:

1️⃣ August Pet Food Dispersal Event
📅 Sunday, August 9
🕐 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
🏠 Host: Ames Pet Food Pantry & Bailing Out Benji
📍 2521 University Blvd, Ames

2️⃣ Manchester DOGust Park Pool Pawty
📅 Saturday, August 15
🕙 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
🏠 Host: Manchester IA Dog Park
📍 525 S. Brewer St., Manchester

3️⃣ Iowa Dog Hiking Club Presents: Pack Glow Walk!
📅 Friday, August 28
🕗 8:00 PM
🏠 Host: Chasing The Wild & Iowa Dog Hiking Club
📍 Gray's Lake, 2101 Fleur Drive, Des Moines

Save this for later! 🐾

Happy National Mutt Day!Every mixed breed pup has its own one of a kind combo of looks and quirks. And we love them all ...
07/31/2026

Happy National Mutt Day!

Every mixed breed pup has its own one of a kind combo of looks and quirks. And we love them all the more for it.

If you're near Urbandale today, StoryPoint Urbandale is hosting a mutt costume parade with homemade, dog safe ice cream for every pup who shows up.

Wherever you are in Iowa, take a moment to celebrate the mixed breed dogs in your life, and maybe consider adding one to it through your local shelter or rescue.

Shows us your mutts! 🐶📸

07/21/2026

The back half of July is packing in a lot for Iowa pet lovers. Here's what we've got circled:

1️⃣ ARL Cat's Meow
📅 Thursday, July 23
🕕 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
🏠 Host: ARL of Iowa
📍 The Rewind Hotel, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, 6075 Mills Civic Pkwy, West Des Moines

The ARL's biggest cat event of the year is back, and it's a proper night out. Think appetizers, a silent auction, a photo booth, a celebrity cat-walk, and time in the Kitten Cuddle Lounge, all in support of pets in need. General admission is $55, and with tickets moving fast this year, don't wait if you want in. 🐱🍾

2️⃣ National Mutt Day Pet Costume Parade
📅 Friday, July 31
🕑 2:00 PM
🏠 Host: StoryPoint Urbandale
📍 8525 Urbandale Ave, Urbandale

A costume parade just for the mutts of Iowa, and every pup goes home with homemade, dog-safe ice cream. Simple, sweet, and a great excuse to dress up your dog on a Friday afternoon. RSVP is required, so reach out to Karin Price ahead of time to save your spot. 🎉🐶

And looking a little further out...

3️⃣ Annual Doggie Dip at Avoca Splash
📅 Saturday, August 15
🕓 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
🏠 Host: City of Avoca
📍 Avoca Aquatic Center, 800 E High Street, Avoca

One last swim before the pool closes for the season. Admission is free-will donation, with proceeds going toward Avoca's dog park, and there's a costume contest plus treats and photos along the way. Dogs just need to be vaccinated and at least 6 months old to jump in. 🏊🐾

Does your fire escape plan include your pets? Most people have a plan for themselves and their families, but completely ...
07/15/2026

Does your fire escape plan include your pets? Most people have a plan for themselves and their families, but completely blank on the animals.

Today's National Pet Fire Safety Day, and it's a good excuse to take care of that before you ever need it.

A few things worth doing this week if you're an Iowa pet family:

🔥 For households with hyper-curious pets, remove stove k***s when you're not home. One inquisitive paw is all it takes.

🕯 Skip real candles for flameless ones, especially if your pet has a tail that doesn't know its own strength.

⚠ Grab a free pet alert window cling from your local fire station so first responders know to look for them.

🐾 Keep a leash and carrier near the exit so grabbing them isn't the thing that slows you down.

Take five minutes today and think it through. Save this so it's here when you need it. ✅

There's something about a pet with a little gray that gets us every time. You know every single one has a story to tell....
07/14/2026

There's something about a pet with a little gray that gets us every time. You know every single one has a story to tell.

July's Powder Face of the Month submissions are open for the Great Iowa Pet Expo newsletter! Drop a photo of your senior pet in the comments with the NAME, AGE, and what makes them one of a kind.

As always, we'll pick (randomly select) our favorites to feature, because Iowa's senior pets deserve the spotlight.

Show us yours. 👇🐾

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P. O. Box 292
Adel, IA
50003

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