Jamaican pet care and supplies company, True Pet Food, says its upcoming 2023 True Pet Expo will be bigger and better, as readies to hosts animal enthusiasts and their companions on November 12 at the scenic Hope Gardens in Kingston.

This event promises an enriching experience for all pet enthusiasts, shedding light on various facets of pet well-being, including nutrition, health, safety, and longevity, with a particular focus on dogs. Early bird tickets are now available for purchase online through the Touchstone and Gustazos Jamaica websites.

Tina Hamilton, senior manager at True Pet Food, emphasised the expo’s importance in educating pet owners on proper nutrition for their furry companions.

“True Pet Food started with a vision of creating a Jamaican brand of dog food that caters to the unique needs of Jamaican and Caribbean dogs. Other imported dog food products were created for dogs that typically spend most of their lives indoors. Jamaican dogs, regardless of breed, generally live outside. Additionally, dogs living in a tropical climate have very different nutritional needs to support a healthy lifestyle.”

Hamilton further expressed that the True Pet Expo will also go beyond nutrition to delve into topics such as pet safety and insurance through engaging panel discussions with partners MINI Jamaica and Guardian, among other activities accessible to all attendees.

She said, “At True Pet Food, we are deeply committed to the development of Jamaica’s pet industry and, more importantly, to enhancing the lives and sustainability of pets in our region. We know the deep bond people have with their pets, and they just need resources and education to give them the best care possible. While True Pet Food manufactures dog food, we go beyond nutrition for a fulsome approach to pet care. The True Pet Expo aims to equip patrons with invaluable insights on improving the quality of care and nutrition they provide their pets, helping them live longer, all-around healthier lives. We are blessed in Jamaica to have so many exceptional professionals in the pet field. It made sense to partner with them and help provide some visibility so that pet lovers would be better equipped to take care of their animals. It is easier to maintain a dog when you know which vet to go to, what responsible breeders look like, and have access to good trainers and even groomers. The True Pet Expo helps us to do just that.”

The success of last year’s exhibition, which garnered widespread support from industry stakeholders, pet enthusiasts, and their beloved companions, has ignited great anticipation for this year’s event, including awards and competitions.

This year’s True Pet Expo will feature the inaugural True Pet Industry Leaders Awards, recognizing and honouring some of Jamaica’s finest veterinarians, groomers, trainers, and boarding facilities.

The Industry Leaders Awards will honour excellence in several categories, including Best Veterinarian, Best Groomer, Best Trainer, Best Boarding House, Exemplary Breeder, and Most Compassionate Shelter. Winners in these categories will be determined based on nominations and online votes. To view the list of nominees and participate in the voting process, visit True Pet’s Instagram page, @truepetfoods.

The highly anticipated German Shepherd All Breed Championship and Obedience Trial will be held concurrently at the venue. It stands as the must-see dog show of the year in the industry.

Another highlight that dog enthusiasts and their pups can look forward to is Pawtenders—bartenders for dogs—who will be serving up special pet-friendly concoctions to keep our furry friends refreshed throughout the day.

True Pet will donate a portion of the proceeds from the expo to support Jamaican dog charities, specifically the Montego Bay Animal Haven and the Jamaica Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (JSPCA).

Some of the events at the True Pet Expo this year will be puppy yoga, pup paint and sip, training demos, obstacle courses, and a puppy fashion show. There will also be a casting call at the Expo for a special addition to the Island Child Style Show Fashion Show later in the year.