Expo In Alden Benefits Animal Welfare

If you missed the recent McHenry Expo, maybe you made it and enjoyed the experience so much you’d like to do it again.

You don’t have to wait until next year. Sunday, March 6, Alden’s Kennels, 6810 Barnard Mill Road, Ringwood, is offering another opportunity for area small businesses to showcase their wares and services. And the best part – you’ll have an opportunity to help homeless cats and dogs.

Alden’s Kennels is donating the use of its more than 5,000-square-foot facility to the McHenry County Animal Welfare Coalition for the event. Small businesses are invited to setup booths at the event, which will also include demonstrations, speakers and an adoption parade of cats and dogs.

Among the participants already are Dorothy Vetrovec, with Natures Feed, who will do a 10-minute presentation on healthy eating for pets; Attorney Karen Lavin, with a presentation on preparing Pet Trusts; and Betsy Wells, of Spring Grove Wellness Counseling and Consulting who will talk about coping with the grief of losing a pet.

Criss Handley, of CFY Healthy Living, will demonstrate chemical-free products to use everyday around pets and people. Alden’s Kennels own Master Trainer Carlos D. Agurrie will give a dog training exhibition and will work with newly adopted rescue dogs to provide tips to owners.

Among other exhibitors are Fran Lambert of Impressive Images, Frank Hosticka with Pre-Paid Legal Services, Fur the Love of Dogs from Spring Grove, Linda Lipinsky with Shopping Genie, Pat and Paul Letizia of Financial Dynamics and Riverside Animal Clinic.

The invitations are not merely for businesses that service pets and their owners. Any company looking for a little exposure and a chance to help homeless animals is welcome. All attending businesses will receive a 30-second infomercial we will upload on Youtube and give them the link for their web page or face book. They can give a 3 minute elevator speech to promote their business.

Member agencies of the McHenry County Animal Welfare Coalition include: McHenry County Animal Control, On Angels Wings, Pets in Need and Helping Paws. Members of the Coalition will introduce potential adoptees and will each give a three-minute mission statement for their organization.

For information about setting up a booth for your business, call Janet at 815-728-0559. You can learn more about Alden’s Kennels by visiting