RIYADH: The second Saudi Pet & Vet Expo, the only pet exhibition in the Kingdom, kicked off at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center on Monday.
Ibrahim Al-Shomer, director of livestock services at the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, inaugurated the exhibition with officials from the National Center for the Prevention and Control of Plant Pests and Animal Diseases.
The three-day exhibition features workshops, meetings, and lectures on veterinary medicine and pets, conducted by field specialists to enhance awareness.
Al-Shomer said that livestock is a crucial pillar of the agricultural sector, playing a key role in boosting economic growth aligned with Vision 2030.
Veterinary medicine helps to safeguard global health by addressing risks from endemic and emerging animal diseases, protecting people, animals, and the environment, he added.
The Saudi pet care industry is valued at about SR4.5 billion ($1.2 billion), with pet food constituting the majority share at 64 percent.
The exhibition educates private entities about the sector’s significance, underscores the societal value of pet ownership, and promotes a culture of volunteer work, said Ammar Al-Zaiter, the expo’s general supervisor.
“This year, the exhibition is characterized by an increase in activities. There is the ‘Pet in My Life’ competition, through which the extent of community members’ interest in caring for pets is evident. The number of local and international exhibitors has increased this year from 80 to 150,” Al-Zaiter told Arab News.
He said that the number of awareness workshops on veterinary medicine and pet care has also risen.
“There is a unique mural that will be painted by a number of visual artists that tells the story of the impact a person can have by raising a pet,” Al-Zaiter said.
The exhibition showcases over 100 local and international organizations focusing on veterinary care, including clinics, pet food companies, merchants, lodgings, salons, and animal welfare associations.
