RALEIGH, N.C. – The first ever North Carolina Pet Expo wrapped up on Sunday. The two-day event was held this weekend at the state fairgrounds in Raleigh, and organizers say it was a success.

The expo had a little bit of everything for animal lovers of all kinds, including vendors with pet treats, leashes, pet trainers and animal adoption agencies. There was even a wildlife exhibit featuring a sloth, kangaroo, parrots and other animals.

“The kids are really loving watching the dock dogs outside with them jumping into the pool, some of them getting their face painted to watching dogs jump through the air with frisbees. And the pet costume contest was a huge hit,” Lisa Hobbs, the general manager for Curtis Marketing Group and the N.C. Pet Expo, said.

“It’s kind of a fun event for their own animals. It’s almost like we’ve noticed a few dogs not feeling so well. It’s like if you take your kid to the fair, and they eat too much cotton candy. The dogs have eaten too many treats this weekend too, which has been great. It’s been a blast,” Hobbs said.

Hobbs estimates that almost 5,000 people attended the expo, and they’re already planning to return in 2023 in possibly an even larger space.