Cable TV channel to ROAR into Ladson with free expo

Let out a ROAR and prepare to get a bit wild. The Exchange Park in Ladson soon will come alive with animals, crocodiles, spiders, snakes, birds of prey and exotic creatures.

Animal Planet Expo, set for 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, will turn Exchange Park, off U.S. Highway 78, into an enchanted wild kingdom with exciting and informative exhibits and all sorts of fun and games.

The free expo is nearing the end of its 11th annual national tour, and is being brought for the first time to the Lowcountry by the creators of the Animal Planet cable television channel and national and local sponsors, including Rehava and Saturn of Charleston.

The expo's national organizers will use the event to raise awareness of its nonprofit Reach Out, Act and Respond program. ROAR is Animal Planet's animal-advocacy partnership with leading animal organizations.

The expo will include a ROAR Stage boasting a 16-by-19-foot LCD video screen that will display the day's events for attendees.

This year's expo will include pythons, vultures and a kinkajous showcase, plus new attractions such as the 30-foot inflatable "King Croc" slide.

One of the event highlights will be the stunts of Frisbee-catching dogs, who will exhibit their skills at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. There will be new twists on old games, such as Pin the Tail on the Puppy and Plink-o.

"It's all about celebrating the con-nection to humans and animals," said Jennifer Abbrecht, a publicist for the Animal Planet Expo. "It's about connecting the community with their animals and having a feel-good event."

Officials with the Charleston Animal Society will be on hand to provide pet-adoption opportunities and information on how to select a family pet.

Local veterinarian Dr. James Southard will host "Ask the Vet" sessions and answer pet-related questions.

The Charleston Animal Society, formerly known as the John Ancrum Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, will showcase cats and dogs available for adoption.

Kay Hyman, the organization's director of outreach and communications, hopes the effort will lead to scores of animals finding new homes.

"We are very excited about the expo. It's going to be a lot of fun," Hyman said.

She said animals from the Animal Society shelter will be shuttled during the day to and from the expo.

Steps will be taken to assure the animals aren't exposed for unsafe periods to the summer heat. Cooling pouches will be placed in pens, she said.

Although individuals and families can examine available animals at the expo, the animals and those who wish to adopt them will have to return to the shelter to complete transactions, Hyman said.

Hyman said it's important right now that the shelter find homes for a great many cats and dogs. "We are literally packed," she said about an excess number of animals now being housed. "We would like to be able to adopt as many as possible."

The expo will provide a fundraising opportunity, she said. The makers of Fresh Step litter are sponsoring an exhibit and asking visitors to take a "sniff test" involving three samples of litter.

The Animal Society will get $1 for everyone who takes the test, with a maximum of $500 to be donated to the shelter, she said.

Other activity pavilions to go wild about include:

--Animal House: Get to know even more live animals while animal experts introduce exotic species from around the world.

--Safari Snaps: Download the ultimate digital photo of you with a virtual version of Animal Planet's Jeff Corwin and Dave Salmoni.

--Bug House: Find out what all the buzz is about. Discover the world of bugs and butterflies, and check out the life-size ant farm.

--Kids' Zone: Transform your kids into animals with wildlife face-painting, try the "Happy Gator" obstacle course or brave a new addition to this year's expo, "King Croc," an inflatable crocodile slide.

--Heroes of Animal Planet: Protect your pet just as the stars of "Animal Precinct" do by creating a personalized pet tag.

--Connection Zone: Spin the wheel or toss a bean bag for prizes, as well as experience the latest products and take advantage of special offers from Comcast.

--Spider Mountain: Climb to new heights on one of expo's most popular attractions, a 20-foot-high, eco-friendly attraction.

--Pet misters and watering holes: Let your pets "chill out" and quench their thirst on a hot day at the pet misters and watering holes provided by Petfinder.com.