“The 26th Annual Family Pet Expo returns to the Orange County fairgrounds April 10-12 with new, high-energy dog entertainment for the whole family,” said Doug Poindexter, president of the World Pet Association .

New to this year’s Expo is the action packed dog agility show by Purina Pro-Plan Performance Team and “Cook’s Racing Hogs and Dogs,” a speed race of both pigs and pups.

Poindexter says it’s a great day of family fun that includes interactive activities for the kids. The Pet Expo will feature face paintings, pony rides, The Great American Petting Zoo and the Kid’s Aquarium Contest, where children design and create 10-gallon aquariums.

“When the kids see animals they’ve never seen before, their faces just light up,” Poindexter said. “And it just makes all the hard work worth it.”

The Expo will also feature police dog and protection demonstrations along with the Free Flight Bird Show, where exotic birds show off their wingspan for audiences.

A variety of adoption agencies will be displaying hundreds of different animals in need of a home. Last year the Expo reported a record of over 700 adoptions.

All adoption agency representatives and specialty pet experts will be available to answer questions about all animal care.

The World Pet Association would like to remind attendees to please leave their pets at home as they are not allowed into the Expo. Poindexter explained that with hundreds of animals on display, it might attract more problems and hazards.

The Expo will be April 10-12 at the Orange County fairgrounds. General admission tickets are $13 with discounts available for seniors and children and free admission for active and retired military. For tickets and more information please visit www.PetExpoOC.org.