Really enjoyed visiting the National Pet Show. Thanks to Victoria from Yelp Birmingham for sorting tickets. Hall 20 is quite a walk from Birmingham International railway station but I knew where I was going to it wasn't so bad. Lots of lovely animals to look at great for kids to see pets they might not have pestered their parents for previously. It looses a star for being far to warm in the hall but I presume the building doors can't be opened in the same way that they can for regular events. Was glad to see lots of water available for the animals to try and correct this. Well worth a visit for an afternoon! read more

See all

As someone who doesn't have a pet (sad face) I was super excited to go down to the National Pet Show and see the variety of animals on offer. I love animals, but living in a one bed flat (and being almost constantly out), my lifestyle doesn't lend itself to keeping a pet at home. The National Pet Show was being held at the NEC in hall 20. If you've been to the National Exhibition Centre before you'll know it's a bit of a labyrinth. Hall 20 is right down the other end of the centre from the train station, so it's about a 10 - 15 minute walk from Birmingham International. Outside the show was a small desk where you could enter a competition to win lots of different prizes, however these were all orientated towards pet owners (free food, bed etc), so we gave this a miss. Once in, there was animals everywhere! Lots of cats, dogs, rabbits to the more unusual lizards, Degu's and chickens! We did a bit of a circle around the hall and checked out the ferret rescue, before making our way around lots of different pet related merchandise. We ended up seeing donkeys, ponies and alpacas before and getting to the dog shows. There must have been around 30+ different breeds of dog to stroke and admire. After this section was the cats! There wasn't as many different types of feline, but they were all totally gorgeous and very friendly. The owners of all of the animals were brilliant; answering questions and giving insights into the quirks of each breed. After the bigger pets came the "small furries". As a huge rat fan, I was pleased to see the "National Association Of Fancy Rat Owners" were in attendance, as well as a showing from guinea pigs, rabbits and degu's. As well as the furry side of pets, there was a lovely stand from the "National Chicken Rescue" where little chicks were happily chirping away and "Wierd'N'Wonderful" who had bought along a brilliant selection of lizards, scorpions and spiders to look at. I have to admit, it seems as though we missed the cheese, wine and other bits and pieces that have been mentioned in the reviews! We did catch some of the "rabbit show jumping" (Which was quite a sight) before calling it a day. I had a lovely hour and a half petting the animals and chatting to the owners, but this is definitely a show geared up towards small children and pet owners. Don't get me wrong, I would revisit; but if you're a pet person or have small kids - this is a must go! read more

See all

I was really looking forward to the National Pet Show. I thought it would be a great chance to see lots of different animals all under one roof but unfortunately i was left quite disappointed. Whilst some people may have been happy with what was here, I don't think it was for everyone. The ratio of animals worked out about 60% Dog 30% Cat and 10% everything else. If you wanted to go to see exotic animals or smaller animals you would see some but not a lot at all. I might be slightly biased here but I absolutely love Guinea Pigs, there was only one place for Guinea Pigs and that was it. Not just that but there was no stalls for accessories I could buy for Guinea Pigs either. Now, my taste might be quite specialist but considering in Pets At Home there is a huge section for smaller animals, I couldn't get why this missing here. We didn't stay very long at all, I am not a big fan at all of dogs and I think that may have contributed a lot to the score as well. My main problem is that for a Pet Show, it doesn't satisfy all pets. There is a lot of work to be done by the organisers to make this a good show. I will probably re-visit in about 5 years time to see if its improved but for now, I'll look elsewhere. read more

Having a little one who is wild on animals, at least one of us was clicking their heels at coming here. Upon entering, we were attracted to the Duck Herding by the musical, enthusiastic and amplified voice of a Welshman. After watching the paddling of Indian Runner Ducks being maneuvered around and into gated-areas by a border collie, we then went to explore. Around the perimeter of the hall were stands with various pedigree and specialist cross-breeds featuring dogs and their owners. Here you could pet and coo at the dogs while talking to their owners. 'Do they need much exercise?' asks a well-to-do lady of some huge canines whose breed I can't remember. 'None' answers their old West-Country human. 'You'd be lucky if they stay awake for twenty minutes.' And more characters... Swedish Rabbit Jumping, anyone? In a hay-bale arena we watched Scandinavian Lepus Curpaeums strut their stuff with varying levels of success. One got quite freaked by children brandishing willow and went a bit extreme by performing a frantic 180 degree turn and landing in the middle of middle of one of the jumps sending the bars flying. The specialist breed of cats were quite something, with hairless cats feeling like a warm peach and the Maine Coon looking cute but so scarily huge that you wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of it. It was all tired out when we saw it, its little foot twitching as it dreamed. Bless! Little Ben C. was genuinely star-struck by the presence of Bronte, cat of TV advert for something-or-other fame and got quite snap happy. Having seen most of what the show has to offer, I then spotted it: The Snowdonia Cheese Company Stand. Having not given in to buying anything and eating on the cheap by having crisps and chocolate for lunch (I'm not paying £17.98 for fish and chips for two, not never), my financial plan is spoiled by the presence of two of their wares that I'd yet to try: smoked Beechwood Cheese and Red Devil. £8 well spent, especially now that I've learned that the wax coating on the truckles DOES NOT make up any of the 200g of stated weight on the package. A great day out for little Ben C. and there were some moments for me too. We left with smiles on our faces. Not for the first time and not for the last time, cheese makes the day! read more

Do you like pets? Ok, even if you don't have one, you must be tempted by show jumping rabbits, miniature horses, dog trial demonstrations and the chance to stroke a sphinx cat (they are softer than you'd think)? The show at the NEC is a little expensive to attend (and bring your own food if you can), get tickets in advance to save a bit and remember that parking is £10. But cost aside it is a great family day, with the chance to meet lots I different pets from chinchillas and degus to armadillos, tortoises, snakes and spiders. There were a few concessions stands there, some of which offered a show discount. Free face painting and a (slightly difficult for a 3.5 yo) cat question trail which won you a toy truck on completion gave kids something to do. For more money you could also paint various plaster of Paris models to take home, or try to win an enormous toy with your throwing skills. Rabbit show jumping was amazing- specially bred Swedish rabbits took on some pretty hefty fences. Go bunnies, go! On arrival (tickets cover both Saturday and Sunday) and on the website you can get a list of the days' events, all of which are free to watch. A really good day all in all, just perhaps not if you're on a budget! read more

Me and my beau were really excited to get tickets from Yelp's Vicky to go and see the National Pet Show today. Being urban guinea pig owners we were really looking forward to learning a bit more about our pampered pets and maybe pick them up a treat or two at the same time. There was a variety of activities on show as well as a range of animals to look at and pet (for want of a better verb) but I have to say we did come away from the show a little disappointed. It can't be denied if you are dog owner this is the show for you, most of the live shows were focused on the woofers in your respective lives with a dedicated area to cats to even up that rivalry. But for the pet category we were most interested in 'small furries' (no sniggering) we came away quite disappointed and deflated. With only one stand dedicated to our pet and a short talk the only live offering we ended up deciding to cut our visit short, but not before we had a bagful of treats to bring home. Where we were disappointed don't let this put you off, this looked to be a great day out for families and we felt with a few more exhibits and wider ranging activities this will be a great day out for everyone. read more

A wonderful day out for any animal lover. I was hoping for a very hands on experience and the show definately didn't disappoint. I've stroked and tickled everything from ferrets to tortoises. The arena events were very entertaining, from duck herding, dancing dogs to show jumping rabbits. Would have been a full five stars but when it came to refreshment time we found that the restaurant in hall 20 was extremely busy as was the Wetherspoons a short walk from the hall. Unless you wanted a coffee and sandwich your options were a bit limited. Overall a great event which my non animal loving son had to admit was a winner. Thanks to Vicky at Yelp Birmingham! read more