CHELSEA — It could be the best way to take a new dog or cat out for a spin.
Potential pet owners and dog and cat lovers flooded the Javits Center to get love and attention from thousands of different kinds of pets as part of the American Kennel Club's "Meet the Breeds" event Saturday and Sunday.
The fourth-annual event, which bills itself as the "world's largest showcase" of dogs and cats, gave pet fans a chance to interact with animals without the commitment of adoption.
"Animal lovers [can] play with a 200-pound mastiff dog that is larger than most New York City kitchens and pet a hairless xolo puppy all while learning about the characteristics of more than 160 dog breeds," said the AKC's spokeswoman and assistant vice president, Gina DiNardo.
The furry friends took to the limelight, and were primped to put on a decent cat and dog show.
Cat breeder Pat Killmaier, 70, from Pittsgrove, N.J., brought String of Pearls, a 4-month-old Bengal kitten to the event.
"She's a delightful baby. She loves everyone and she's been having a blast this weekend," Killmaier said.
Celebrity dog stylist Jorge Bendersky, who gives poufs to the pets of such celebrities as Ralph Lauren, Sean Combs and Calvin Klein came with Pomeranian Tito. "Tito's is the best. He even has his own line of dog ties that we just launched. This is a great event," Bendersky said.
Samantha Rolfer, 7, who was came with her family from Fairfield, N.J., agreed. "I love cats. I have two cats at home called Fluffy and Scaredy," she said, and both were rescued cats. "I want to come back again next year."
While some participants kept the showmanship limited to sleek cuts and shiny, fresh-washed fur, others took the idea of a convention truly to heart.
Dix Hills, Long Island dog breeder Joe Borracci, 46, for example, was in full costume with his mastiff Spock.
"I came dressed as an English knight because the mastiffs have been the guardians of English castles for centuries," he said.
