Great Iowa Pet Expo

01/24/2025

This may be our favorite pet fact of all time. Next time you enjoy a slice of swiss cheese, thank a Bernese Mountain Dog! 🧀🐾

01/21/2025

We're in the thick of a classic Midwestern cold snap! While you might rely on a sweater or blanket to keep warm today, here's what your pets are doing:

❄️ Mammals like cats and dogs adapt to cold winters by adding body fat or growing denser fur. Not all breeds are equally good at this, so keep any more cold-prone pets bundled up if possible.
❄️ Curling up in a snug bed, box, or other enclosed space is a great way for pets to trap body heat. We recommend investing in a heated pet bed!
❄️ Your pets know where the warmth is! You'll likely see them snuggling up near heat sources in your home, so ensure that all appliances and heaters are in good working condition with parts & cords secured.

Keep your pets indoors right now unless absolutely necessary, and minimize any time they do spend outside. And of course, the best way to stay warm is always a cuddle session with their favorite human! 💖🐾

01/18/2025

Forget the big game – Iowa is sending six adorable (and adoptable!) dogs to this year's Puppy Bowl! 🏈🎉 🐾

AHeinz57 Pet Rescue and Transport in DeSoto has been represented in the past eleven Puppy Bowls, and this year is no different. The roster for Puppy Bowl XIX includes Erin, Pizzazz, Zipper, Gretel, Cece, and Orla (pictured left-right). All of these dogs have been adopted, but plenty more from AHeinz57 are seeking their forever homes!

Don't miss these pups making their gridiron debut on February 9th at 2 pm, available on Animal Planet, Discovery, TBS, truTV, Max and discovery+. And of course, learn more about all the adoptable pets from AHeinz57: https://www.aheinz57.com/adopt-a-pet/

01/15/2025

There's nothing better than having an animal best friend. Here's to giving each and every pet a warm home, lots of love, and plenty of treats – they deserve it! 💞🐾

01/09/2025

to some Great Iowa Pet Expo memories from the last few years! ❤️🐾

It may only be January, but can we skip to this fall already? We're already hard at work preparing next year's Expo! ✨

01/08/2025

With an arctic blast settling across the Midwest, it's a good a time as any to make sure your pets are warm, cozy, and protected from the cold! Here's our handy checklist to get you through freezing temperatures safely. 🐾❄️

01/01/2025

You've been working on setting your 2025 resolutions, but... surprise, so has your dog! At least, we assume this is what they are 😂 Happy New Year everyone!

12/31/2024

Happy New Year from the Great Iowa Pet Expo! Our New Year's Resolution is to keep loving and celebrating pets across our state... and to get to work on bringing you the best expo yet this fall! We can't wait to spend 2025 with you. 💖

12/30/2024

Looking for a dog friendly New Years Eve event? Look no further!

12/27/2024

Please come see these sweet pups at Merle Hay Mall Paws Gourmet and gifts, tomorrow between 11 and 1!

12/27/2024

More fun for pups at Merle Hay Mall!

Discover top outdoor dog gear in Des Moines, Iowa. Follow us for updates, offers, and local events!

12/25/2024

12/24/2024

Whatever you're celebrating this week, the Great Iowa Pet Expo wishes you a merry and bright holiday – full of pet snuggles, of course! 🐾💖

12/21/2024

12/20/2024

Looking to support a local pet-focused organization this holiday season? We love the Animal Rescue League of Iowa! ❤️🎄

The ARL Tree of Life is a wonderful way to provide shelters with gifts and supplies for homeless pets. Each and every contribution makes an impact on an animal in need!

Donations for the Tree of Life will be accepted through 12/31. Learn more: https://www.arl-iowa.org/events/eid/809b13b828720c56/events/tree-of-life-2024/

12/18/2024

Pets are a gift in so many ways, but they're much more than a shiny holiday present – they're a lifelong commitment, and they deserve all your love and care. ❤️

Here are our tips for bringing an animal home for the holidays in a way that's safe and happy for all:

🐾 Make sure you – or the recipient – are prepared. Surprising your children with a pet that you'll be largely responsible is one thing, but springing the responsibility of a pet on someone who's not expecting it is bad for both pets and humans!
🐾 Consider waiting until after the holidays are over to bring your new pet home. With guests, decorations, and general hustle & bustle, it can be overwhelming! Prepare an "adoption" kit as a wrapped gift instead to build excitement.
🐾 Adopt pets from reputable organizations rather than pet shops or backyard breeding operations!

Do you have favorite techniques for welcoming a new pet into the home? Share them with us in the comments!