One of our favorite events of the year is returning to the Orange County Fair and Events Center in Costa Mesa, the 27th Annual AMERICA’S PET EXPO. This unique event showcases animals from around the world in different events and exhibitions. There were more than 600 animal adoptions that were adopted into “forever homes” from the Pet Expo’s Southern California animal rescue partner organizations.

New this year, is an adorable collection of mini farm animals including mini donkeys, mini cattle, mini sheep, mini dairy goats, chickens, rabbits, and pot belly pigs. For equine lovers, horses from Camp Rusk Foundation for Retired Horses will make their debut.

For more information and to purchase tickets online visit PetExpoOC.org.

Full announcement below.

Showcasing thousands of pets, products and the people who love them Animal presentations, family pet entertainment, four-legged competitions and adoptions all weekend long

LOS ANGELES  – The 27 th annual America’s Family Pet Expo returns Friday, April 22 – Sunday, April 24, 2016 to the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa (88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa 92626). Cats, dogs, miniature farm animals, birds, and exotic reptiles, will come together in this unique event giving show guests the opportunity to experience furry, feathered and scaled friends in a variety of different ways.

“The Pet Expo is excited and proud to once again bring responsible pet care, entertainment, and pet adoptions to Orange County for the 27th year” said Doug Poindexter, President of the World Pet Association, producers of the America’s Family Pet Expo. “As the years progress, so does the show, with a variety of educational presentations, product launches, amazing pet acts and our popular animal adoptions. The Pet Expo truly is the place for anything pet-related.”

Last year 45,000 guests visited the America’s Family Pet Expo showing a 5% increase from 2014. There were more than 600 animal adoptions including dogs, cats – and even a few guinea pigs –that were adopted into “forever homes” from the Pet Expo’s Southern California animal rescue partner organizations.

New to the Pet Expo, is an adorable collection of mini farm animals including mini donkeys, mini cattle, mini sheep, mini dairy goats, chickens, rabbits, and pot belly pigs. For equine lovers, horses from Camp Rusk Foundation for Retired Horses will make their debut.

Returning fan favorites include Splash Dogs, offering a wet-and-wild canine competition, and the Police Dog & Protection Demonstrations, crime fighting dogs in action showing how they serve and protect our community. The Free Flight Bird Show, where magnificent birds spread their wings and take flight, will perform throughout the weekend.

Kids can get in on the action by designing and creating a 10-gallon aquarium in the Kids Aquarium Contest. There will also be pony rides, face paintings, and The Great American Petting Zoo for the whole family to enjoy. America’s Family Pet Expo Returns to Orange County, April 22-24, 2016 A “Petstravaganza” at the Orange County Fair and Event Center, Costa Mesa.

Pet Adoptions will be handled on site for those looking for that “purrfect” animal addition to the family. There will be hundreds of animals hoping to find their forever home from local community partner organizations at the Pet Expo. General Admission, $13.00; seniors 60 and over, $11.00. Children 6-12, $8.00. 5 yrs and under, free. Active and retired military free with ID. Show hours: Friday 10am-6pm; Saturday 10am-7pm; Sunday 10am-6pm. OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa 92626. Facility charges $7.00 parking. Kindly leave all pets at home. For more information and to purchase tickets online visit http://www.PetExpoOC.org . The America’s Family Pet Expo is created, produced and managed by World Pet Association, Inc., a 65-year-old nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting responsible pet care.