Hundreds of pet lovers across Egypt gathered in a joyful family atmosphere over two days for the annual “Aleef” Festival.
The festival, launched by the Heliopolis Association, represented by the Children’s Garden Center for Civilization and Creativity, is now in its fourth year, but it is considered the first family festival for animal lovers.
The association’s Secretary-General, Helmy El-Amin, explained in press statements that the goal of the festival is to raise community awareness about animal care, welfare, and training, through “the largest gathering of pet lovers and pet owners and pet care and maintenance supplies in Egypt and the Middle East.”
Dr. Osama Abdel Warith, Director of the Children’s Museum, indicated that the festival is attended by more than 1,000 people and 1,000 pets each year, in an entertaining atmosphere designed for the entire family.
In addition to the dog championships held every half hour, the Alif Festival includes the second Alif National Reptile Championship, a pavilion for trained parrots, a pavilion for all types of raptors, and a pavilion for reptiles and arthropods. The festival also features specialized doctors, a dog groomer, and photo sessions.
Festival director Nadine Hamdy says the festival instills a love of pets in children and teaches them how to properly care for them. She adds that the festival also organizes a variety of workshops.
According to the organizers, the festival guarantees a rich experience for its attendees, as it hosts a global company that sells food for dogs and cats, as well as companies that sell therapeutic supplies for pets.
