Hamburg Pet Expo Brought Our Community Together for Every Kind of Pet
Published On: 12/18/2025
Last Updated On: 12/18/2025
By Callie, Seymour, Yebba, and Mama and our Hooman Ashley!
FREE CAT HAIR HACKS
⬇️
FREE CAT HAIR HACKS ⬇️
A Room Full of Pets… and Even Fuller Hearts
When our hoomans told us they were heading to the Hamburg Pet Expo at the Hamburg Field House, we assumed it would be a very cat-forward situation.
We were delightfully wrong.
What they walked into was something bigger — a warm, bustling room filled with every kind of pet, every kind of rescue, and every kind of animal-loving hooman you could imagine. Cats, dogs, bunnies, birds, reptiles, crafters, food trucks, nonprofits, and community organizations all gathered under one roof with a shared goal: celebrate animals and support the people who care for them.
That kind of energy? We felt it all the way back in the newsroom.
Not Just Cats — Every Creature Was Welcome
Yes, there were cats. (Peep our new cat adoption above… help us name our new friend)
But there were also reptiles and reptile rescues, birds, rabbits, and plenty of non-furry friends represented — a reminder that animal welfare doesn’t stop at whiskers. The Hamburg Pet Expo created a space where all kinds of animal lovers could feel included, curious, and welcome.
Pets were invited too, as long as they were safely leashed or in carriers (unless you were a reptile… we saw dozens of hoomans walking around with their slithery friends free roaming on their bodies — and bonus points for the free toenail trims, which we assume were met with mixed reviews from the dogs.
Rescue, Community, and a Little Bit of Magic
One of our favorite moments? Our hoomans “adopting” a crocheted cat from Berks Community Cats.
It came with a certificate.
And a little take-home box.
And a whole lot of joy.
It was playful, meaningful, and such a perfect example of how rescues can connect with supporters in creative, lighthearted ways — while still raising funds and awareness for real cats who need help.
Throughout the expo, our hoomans chatted with local rescues, nonprofits, and vendors, learning about their missions, picking up handmade goods, and supporting organizations doing important work right here in Pennsylvania.
Santa, Photos, and Pure Expo Joy
Because it was the holiday season, the fun didn’t stop at vendor tables.
There were photo opportunities with Santa, Olaf, the Grinch, and friends — including photos with pets — plus face painting and family-friendly activities that made the entire event feel joyful, accessible, and welcoming.
It wasn’t rushed.
It wasn’t stuffy.
It felt like a community showing up for itself.
Why Events Like This Matter
The Hamburg Pet Expo wasn’t just a pet event. It was a reminder of what happens when rescues, businesses, volunteers, and animal lovers come together.
These events:
Give small rescues visibility
Help nonprofits fundraise sustainably
Create low-pressure ways to support animals
Introduce people to causes they didn’t know yet
And remind everyone that helping animals can also be fun
That matters — for cats, for other pets, and for the people who love them.
If you ever see a local pet expo, rescue event, or community animal gathering pop up near you — go.
Bring a friend.
Buy the handmade thing.
Adopt the crocheted cat.
Talk to the rescue volunteers.
You never know which small moment will turn into meaningful support for an animal who needs it.
We’ll be here, paws on the keyboard, cheering every single one on.
🐾 Coming tomorrow on Stray Cat News
Photo Credits: Ceara Rahne Photography, LLC
Tomorrow, we’re sharing a story that sits right at the center of why we do this work.
We sat down with Calla, the heart behind Calla’s Critter Rescue, to talk about what it really takes to run a local rescue — the late nights, the bottle babies, the heartbreaks, the wins, and the community that makes it all possible.
This interview is about:
the cats who need extra time and extra care
the hoomans who quietly rearrange their lives to help them
and the kind of rescue work that doesn’t always make headlines, but saves lives every single day
It’s honest.
It’s grounded.
And it’s filled with the kind of compassion that reminds us why local rescues matter so much.
Join us tomorrow as we share Calla’s story — and the many hands and hearts behind Calla’s Critter Rescue.
We promise… it’s one worth reading. 🖤🐾
