Hundreds of Cats and Dogs Scheduled to Return at Meet the Breeds in New York City

July 23, 2012 - PRLog -- NEW YORK, NY – Ever meet a Xoloitzcuintli?  How about a Sphynx without having to go to Egypt?  This October, New Yorkers will get the opportunity to meet these rare dog and cat breeds face-to-face along with more than 200 other breeds of dogs and cats when the American Kennel Club (AKC) and The International Cat Association (TICA) host the fourth annual AKC Meet the Breeds event at the Javits Center October 20 & 21.  Tickets are on sale now at www.MeetTheBreeds.com.

Sponsored by leading pet healthcare insurance provider, PetPartners, Inc., AKC Meet the Breeds is an unique event that gives the public the opportunity to meet and interact with amazing dogs and cats of all shapes and sizes.  Attendees can also approach experienced breeders and owners with questions about how these dogs and cats can be expected to act as family pets. .

“Educating the public about the predictable qualities and needs of each breed is the major motivating factor for holding this event each year,” said AKC Meet the Breeds Spokesperson Gina DiNardo. “Too, many people acquire pets the same way they go on blind dates, with not a lot of information and a lot of foggy hopes. AKC Meet the Breeds allows individuals to literally ‘meet’ hundreds of dogs and cats in one afternoon to help them better learn which breed should become a lifelong member of their family.”

“At AKC Meet the Breeds New Yorkers can step into the jungle and play with a Bengal cat or pet a 200 pound Mastiff dog in a Medieval castle, and when you’re done meeting the breed, you can talk with experts about what owning that pet is really like,” said TICA President Vickie Fisher.

In addition to meeting more than 200 dog and cat breeds, AKC Meet the Breeds will feature the following:  
•   Ongoing demonstrations will allow spectators to watch dogs and cats race against the clock in the fast-paced sport of agility, Frisbee Disc Dogs and reenactments of U.S. Customs and Border Protection searches, so you know exactly why that Beagle is sniffing your luggage at the airport.
•   Kitty CAToure – Fashion week will never be the same after cats take center stage to show off the hottest trends by Meow-Wear fashion designer Carla Reiss.
•   Top experts in every pet-related field including training, grooming, nutrition and first aid.  Get to know some of the cat and dog specialists who will be available to answer your questions and help you identify the best breed for your lifestyle.
•   More than 100 vendors selling every imaginable dog and cat product just in time to spoil your favorite Fido or Fluffy before the holidays.
•   Fun activities for kids and pet-related giveaways at vendor booths.

Get your tickets now at www.MeetTheBreeds.com.  Advanced tickets are $15 adult/$10 kids.  

See what you missed last year and make your plans for this year’s event by viewing coverage from last year’s AKC Meet the Breeds at http://www.akc.org/meet_the_breeds/2011photos.html.

Get social with the AKC and TICA! Join AKC on Facebook and Twitter and TICA on Facebook.com/TheInternationalCatAssociation and Twitter @TICAcats.

About AKC Meet the Breeds – From Afghan Hounds to the Turkish Van, AKC Meet the Breeds® showcases 160 American Kennel Club® (AKC) registered dog breeds and this year will feature 50 cat breeds registered by The International Cat Association (TICA) in booths individually decorated to depict each breed’s country of origin, historical purpose/function, and attributes as a family pet.  This family-friendly event is an opportunity for potential pet owners to interact with responsible breeders and play with dogs and cats while educating themselves about responsible pet ownership and choosing the right pet for their lifestyle. AKC Meet the Breeds is proudly presented by PetPartners, Inc., a leading pet healthcare provider, and will feature more than 160,000 square feet of dog and cat festivities including ongoing demonstration rings – featuring law enforcement K-9’s, dog agility, grooming– and more than 100 vendor booths that offer every imaginable product for pets and their owners.  Event sponsors include The Hartford Financial Services, Inc., Pet Brands, Inc., Purina® Pro Plan®, Motel 6, K9 Advantix II, Felidae®, Sturdi Products, BH Pet LLC, and TimberTech.  For more information visit www.MeetTheBreeds.com.

The American Kennel Club, founded in 1884, is a not-for-profit organization which maintains the largest registry of purebred dogs in the world and oversees the sport of purebred dogs in the United States. The AKC is dedicated to upholding the integrity of its registry, promoting the sport of purebred dogs and breeding for type and function.  Along with its nearly 5,000 licensed and member clubs and its affiliated organizations, the AKC advocates for the purebred dog as a family companion, advances canine health and well-being, works to protect the rights of all dog owners and promotes responsible dog ownership. More than 20,000 competitions for AKC-registered purebred dogs are held under AKC rules and regulations each year including conformation, agility, obedience, rally, tracking, herding, lure coursing, coonhound events, hunt tests, field and earthdog tests. Affiliate AKC organizations include the AKC Humane Fund, AKC Canine Health Foundation, AKC Companion Animal Recovery and the AKC Museum of the Dog.  For more information, visit www.akc.org.

The International Cat Association, Inc. (TICA) was organized during 1979, is the world's largest genetic registry of pedigreed cats, largest registry of household pet cats and kittens, and one of the world's largest sanctioning bodies for cat shows. TICA currently recognizes more than 54 breeds of cats. Wherever you are, you’re in TICA’s world. A world of fabulous felines…fun...and friendships. To learn more about TICA visit http://www.tica.org