PATS 2026 is set to bring the world of animal behaviour and welfare to life with the launch of Animal Encounters, an exciting new feature taking place during the three-day trade show at the NEC Birmingham on 27-29 September.
Staged in partnership with Animal Teach, Animal Encounters will give visitors the opportunity to gain expert knowledge, ask questions and see animals up close, with every session designed to provide practical, trade-relevant information that can be taken straight back into the workplace.
With four expert-led sessions every day, the programme covers everything from snake behaviour and animal adaptations to small animal welfare and the importance of staff education.
Every session will be led by Animal Teach founder and zoologist Naomi Ennis and supported by her team. There will also be plenty of opportunities for visitors to put their own questions and real-life scenarios to the experts during dedicated Q&A time.
And the learning doesn’t stop when the sessions finish. Throughout the show, the Animal Teach team will be available on stand U10 to answer questions, discuss specific animals and situations, and provide one-to-one guidance.
The Animal Encounters programme each day includes:
11am – Snake behaviour and care: Separating fact from myth
Customer misconceptions about snakes are one of the most common barriers to confident selling and advice-giving. This session equips staff with the science to correct common myths, answer customer questions with authority, and build trust with reptile-keeping customers.
12pm – Animal adaptations: What they mean for responsible care
Understanding why an animal behaves and lives the way it does is the foundation of good product recommendations and husbandry advice. This session helps staff translate adaptation science into practical guidance customers can act on, supporting better outcomes and fewer returns.
2pm – Small animal welfare: Shifting perceptions in the trade
The session will explore welfare considerations across a range of smaller species, including guinea pigs and hamsters. An invertebrate ambassador will challenge perceptions and demonstrate that even animals which are often viewed as ‘simple’ or ‘low maintenance’ have specific and important welfare needs.
3pm – Education and welfare: Building better practice through knowledge
A practical look at how ongoing staff education directly improves welfare outcomes and customer confidence, with take-home approaches businesses can build into their own training and customer advice.
Animals featured in the sessions will be selected on the day following individual health and behaviour checks, ensuring that the highest welfare standards are maintained throughout the show.
“Our mission is simple: to provide exciting educational opportunities that inspire all generations to truly connect with animals,” said Naomi Ennis. “We want these experiences to be affordable, adaptable and accessible, while raising awareness of animal care and the natural world.”
With expert advice, live animals and plenty of opportunities to ask the questions that matter, Animal Encounters promises to be one of the must-visit features of PATS 2026.
For more information about Animal Teach, visit www.animalteach.co.uk.
More reasons to visit PATS 2026
Animal Encounters is just one of the many attractions awaiting visitors at PATS 2026, which once again takes place alongside BETA International (https://www.beta-int.com/).
Other highlights include:
With hundreds of exhibitors, thousands of new products and a packed programme of business-focused features, PATS 2026 continues to be the UK's leading trade exhibition for the pet and aquatics industry.
Visitor registration is now open at http://bit.ly/4hyn5rR with free admission available to qualifying trade professionals. For more information about PATS 2026, including a full list of exhibitors, visit www.patshow.co.uk
