Pet Fair draws hundreds to Village Veterinary Medical Center
Hundreds gathered to have fun learning more about caring for a pet during Village Veterinary Medical Center’s annual Pet Fair.
The annual event, which took place at the center’s 11301 Kingston Pike location in Farragut on Saturday, April 30, offered activities and demonstrations for all ages.
“I think it’s great,” Emily Malka, who recently moved from Florida to Farragut, said. “It’s very educational. We appreciate all the information, and it’s great to see all the animals and organizations.”
The center opened its facility to show attendees what goes on behind the scenes, from the operating table to the dental table.
“[Heather Collins] wants to be a vet, so she’s in heaven,” her mother, Jordan Collins, a Knoxville resident, said.
“I love it,” Heather said.
At the same time, Dr. Kristi R. Lively, one of the center’s owners, conducted the Teddy Bear clinic, where youngsters could have their favorite toys restored or simply treated.
Children enjoyed playing the bounce house, having their face painted, meeting Bandit, a Knoxville Police Department K-9 officer handled by Patrolman Jason Moyers. Meanwhile, area vendors offered information about pet adoption, animal rescue and pet care.
Many attendees, such as Pamela Washington, brought their four-legged best friends. Washington said she saw the event on Facebook and decided to bring Macy, her dog.
“I try to bring her to different fairs and functions, and I come to learn more about the different things that go on around Knoxville,” she said.
“We don’t have a pet, so we are seeing what [animal] would work for us and if [the children] would be afraid of it or not,” Jessica Chaffins, Lenoir City resident, said.
Leslie Davis of Farragut brought sons, Hudson and Carson Davis.
“They have been in heaven,” she said. “The loved it.”
“We saw the sign and decided to stop in,” Christin Roettger, Farragut resident, said. “We couldn’t have any pets, so this is a good chance to see the animals and maybe make a decision to get a pet in the future.”
“It’s really great,” Joanna Richardson, a Lenoir City attendee who brought her daughters, Laura, 5, and Kristina, 3, said. “[Laura] is interested in being a vet, so she was excited to see everything.”
“It’s pretty good,” Jack Harvey, Kingston resident, said. “This is the second year we’ve attended.”
“It’s awesome,” Harvey’s 8-year-old daughter, Abby, said.
“It’s great. We’ve never been here before,” Tony Davis, Farragut resident, said. “We have pets, so it’s good to get some information.”
“I think it’s pretty neat,” Kelly Smith, a Farragut resident, said.
“It’s the first time we’ve come here,” Rylan Smith, Farragut resident, said. “We just adopted cats, so we thought we would check it out.”
