Asheville has been ranked one of the top ten pet-friendliest cities in the United States, so pet-loving residents will want to be sure to attend the Asheville Pet Expo April 2–3 at the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center.

The event will feature two days of entertainment, demonstrations, adoptions, educational offerings, and plenty of animal socializing. The show, the first of what is hoped will become an annual event, offers pet products, trainers, veterinarians, rescue organizations, humane societies, kennel and day care facilities, and plenty of vendors with ideas and advice.

There will also be educational talks with area veterinarians and trainers, plus agility demonstrations and a rousing performance by Johnny Peers and Muttville Comix. Johnny will lead more than a dozen dogs (most of them shelter rescues) through challenging and hilarious tricks. A graduate of the Ringling Brothers Clown College, he has been working with dogs since he got his first puppy, Freckles, a Beagle mix, from the Humane Society in 1972. He and his group have appeared on national television, at Disneyland, Busch Gardens, and even the White House.

The Expo hours are 9–5 p.m. on Saturday, and 11–5 p.m. on Sunday. Daily adult admission is $7 and child admission (ages 6–15) is $5. Children 5 and under are admitted free, and parking at the Ag Center is free as well. Well behaved, leashed pets are welcome.

For more information, visit ashevillepetexpo.com or call 828.256.3976