Great Iowa Pet Expo

05/25/2026

Wishing everyone a safe and happy Memorial Day! Whether you're firing up the grill, heading to the lake, or just enjoying the long weekend with your people and pets, we hope it's a good one. 🐾☀

05/22/2026

If anyone gets an email
From: Reservations

Please know that this is a phishing scam. They're offering you a Great Iowa Pet Expo hotel promo code that is not legit!

One of our vendors just received one of these emails and made us aware.

We will have a hotel promo code but it will only be posted on our website, posted on our official FB and INSTA accounts and sent out in our emails that come from our address.

THIS ONE IS A SCAM!

05/21/2026

Summer is around the corner, and we have one very important question:

What are your pet’s summer plans?

🏖 Lake trips and outdoor adventures?
🛋 Testing out the AC at the house and nothing else?
🌳 Backyard patrol every single day?
🚗 Riding shotgun wherever you go?
❓ Something else? (👇 Let us know in the comments!)

Let us know you and your furry friends, critters, and companions got going these next few HOT months!

05/20/2026

The tail end of May and the start of June are packed with fun stuff for Iowa pet lovers. 🐾 Here's what's on our radar:

1️⃣ ARL Dog DNA Day
📅 Thursday, May 28
🕠 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
🏠 Host: ARL of Iowa
📍 5452 N.E. 22nd St.

You know you've wondered. Now's your chance to find out. Reserve a DNA kit for $69 (regularly $75), swing by the Animal House booth near Bailey's Bark Park during Yappy Hour to pick it up, swab your pup, and send it off to the lab. Results come back in a few weeks, and 100% of proceeds go toward homeless pets at the ARL. You can even bring your dog and have the team help with the swab on-site. 🐶🧬

2️⃣ Just Paws Adoption Event
📅 Saturday, May 30
🕚 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
🏠 Host: AHeinz57
📍 Just Paws Gourmet, Merle Hay Mall

Stop by Just Paws Gourmet at Merle Hay Mall to meet AHeinz57 volunteers and some very adoptable animals who are ready for their next chapter. You never know, your new best friend might just be waiting for you there. 🐾💛

And if you're looking for something a little more high-flying to kick off June…

3️⃣ DockDogs at the Park Palooza
📅 Friday & Saturday, June 5 & 6
🕓 4:00 PM (6/5) & 5:00 PM (6/6) — Competition start times
🏠 Host: DockDogs
📍 Raccoon River Park, West Des Moines

Watch dogs launch themselves off a dock at full speed, or bring your own pup and see what they're made of. DockDogs is coming to West Des Moines for a full weekend of Big Air, Extreme Vertical, and Speed Retrieve competitions, welcoming both seasoned competitors and first-timers alike. Spectators get in free, and trust us, you'll want to be there. 🐕💨

05/15/2026

Free microchip station now at Paws and Pints courtesy of Oh My Dog Rescue!

05/13/2026

You know what time it is, Iowa (and anywhere really)! Our Powder Face(s) of the Month submissions are officially open for the May edition of the Great Iowa Pet Expo newsletter! 🐾🤍

If you've got a senior pet at home, like a dog, cat, or any pet who's earned their grey, drop a photo in the comments along with their name, age, and a brief bio about what makes them unforgettable. Each month we feature our favorites (randomly selected) in the Great Iowa Pet Expo newsletter, and the silver-muzzled crowd never disappoints.

Who's your powder face? We wanna see! 👇

05/12/2026

Finally!! Thanks to everyone who emailed, called and supported this bill in any way. It takes a village!

Gov. Kim Reynolds signing the measure into law makes Iowa the 50th state to have felony charges in place for animal torture.

05/11/2026

Let's talk about the bed situation. 🛏🐾

Some people swear by it. Their pet has slept beside them every single night for years and they wouldn't have it any other way. Others don't want any of it. A 60lb dog sprawled across the bed at 3 in the morning doesn't seem appealing.

Both sides have a point. What do you think, pet in bed? Or no?

05/08/2026

Iowa’s biggest equine event is happening this weekend folks! 🐴

The 2026 Iowa Horse Fair kicks off today and runs through the weekend at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. We’re talking 50+ horse breeds, 100+ vendors, expert clinicians, a kids’ area, a rodeo on Friday and Saturday night, and a concert on Saturday at 9pm to cap it all off.

Everyone from lifelong horse folks to people who just love a great event are welcome!

🗓 Friday, May 8 | 12 PM - 6 PM
🗓 Saturday, May 9 | 9 AM - 6 PM
🗓 Sunday, May 10 | 9 AM - 5 PM

Military veterans get in free Friday with ID at the box office. Tickets and full schedule can be found at iahorsefair.com.

05/07/2026

Every single pet has that one thing they do that is just all the way over the top.

Maybe it's the death stare when dinner is a minute late. Or an Oscar-winning performance whenever you mention a bath. And you can't forget the way pets act like they've been personally attacked each time you leave the house.

Tell us about your pet's dramatic habit in the comments! 👇 We'd love to know that we're not the only ones. 😂

05/06/2026

May is already shaping up to be a great month for Iowa pet lovers. Here are a few events worth circling on your calendar 🐾:

1️⃣ Mom & Mutt Matching Charm Workshop
📅 Saturday, May 9
🕐 1:00 PM
🏠 Host: Hiking Dog Co.
📍 3800 Merle Hay Rd

Show up with your dog, design matching charms together, and leave with a set; one for your pup's collar, one for you. One pair is free per person and dogs are welcome in store. Perfect for dog moms and anyone who loves a good "me and my pup" moment. 🐶✨

2️⃣ Pedal for Paws
📅 Saturday, May 16
🕚 11:00 AM – 5:15 PM
🏠 Host: ARL of Iowa
📍 Captain Roy's (Starting Location)

A ~19 mile party bike ride through Des Moines supporting homeless pets at the ARL, with bar stops, drink specials, ARL animal meet & greets, and raffles along the way. It's also Cat-urday, so wear your best cat outfit. Tickets start at $25; walk-ins welcome. 🚲🐱

And if you're looking to kick off Memorial Day weekend a little early…

3️⃣ Memorial Day Foam Paw-ty
📅 Sunday, May 24
🕛 12:00 PM
🏠 Host: Paws & Pints
📍 6218 Willowmere Dr.

Foam. Dogs. Drink specials. That's really all you need to know. 🐾☀️ Paws & Pints is throwing a foam-filled party in the dog park to kick off summer right. Plenty of time to splash around and celebrate the holiday with your pup by your side. First time at Paws & Pints? You'll need to download their app and upload proof of your dog's vaccines ahead of time, so plan accordingly before the 24th.