RIYADH: The third Saudi Pet & Vet Expo, the only pet exhibition in the Kingdom, will be held at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center from Oct. 28-30.

The three-day exhibition will feature workshops, meetings and lectures addressing topics such as animal healthcare, disease prevention and modern veterinary care techniques.

The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture will sponsor the event, creating an annual platform for local and international experts to exchange knowledge in veterinary medicine and pet care.

More than 120 exhibitors from 16 countries will showcase a range of products and services, including veterinary clinics, pet food companies, pet supply stores, vaccine manufacturers and animal welfare organizations.

It will also help to raise awareness about the importance of investing in the sector, encouraging pet adoption and promoting responsible ownership.

The event is expected to strengthen partnerships between the public and private sectors and raise awareness about pet care and welfare.

The Saudi Arabian market for pet care is estimated at about SR4.4 billion ($1.2 billion), with a growth rate exceeding 9 percent annually, according to statistics published on the expo’s official website.

Saudi Arabia also imports pet and bird food from 18 countries worldwide, including the US, Spain, Germany, Italy, Thailand, France, Turkiye, China and India.

RIYADH: The Saudi Falcons Club’s auction featured the sale of the most expensive peregrine falcon chick, from the Al-Dabdaba area of Hafr Al-Batin governorate.

A chick presented by falconers Sanafi and Mutlaq Al-Dosari became the priciest bird sold at the auction, fetching SR400,000 ($106,000), the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The event began on Oct. 1 and continues until Nov. 15 at the club’s Malham headquarters near Riyadh.

With a starting bid of SR60,000 and amid intense competition, the Al-Dabdaba falcon’s sale surpassed a bird sold for SR240,000 a few days ago.

Mutlaq Al-Dosari was happy at the outcome, noting that it was his first time participating at the event.

He praised the considerable efforts of the Saudi Falcons Club and the benefits it provides to falconers.

Al-Dosari added: “I received many offers outside the auction, but I insisted on selling it through the Saudi Falcons Club’s auction.”

He noted that the bidding process for his falcon took between five and six minutes.

The club offers extensive services to falconers throughout the hunting season, including housing and transporting birds to the auction site from various regions.

The auction is broadcast live on television and social media, making for fast-paced, competitive bidding, the SPA added.

It plays a significant role in preserving and promoting Saudi Arabia’s cultural, economic, and historic heritage, in line with Vision 2030.

The event supports falconry activities and aims to develop the local auction market, positioning it as a global hub for enthusiasts.

During the club’s first auction in 2020, total sales exceeded SR10 million. The second auction brought SR8.3 million, the third over SR7 million, and the fourth SR10 million.