The exhibition looked at the history of pet
ownership going back to ancient times, when the Romans kept dogs
for hunting and as guard dogs and the Egyptians used to worship
cats! It looked also at how people have had portraits painted of
their pets over the centuries, superstitions about different
creatures, and how animals have been used in peace and war and have
even saved lives.
The exhibition also came up to date by looking
at different sorts of pets that people own today, how people dress
pets and even where pet food comes from! For children there were a
number of hands-on activities including a pet hospital and a chance
to find the missing budgies hidden around the exhibition.
The exhibition was also supported by
a number of events and activities over the coming weeks, including
a chance to meet some unusual pets - from giant rabbits to spiders
- during the afternoons of Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 April. On
Saturday 14 June there was also a pet show, with a chance for
children to bring along their favourite pet and they win a
prize.
Many of Peterborough’s most popular cultural and sporting
facilities are part of Vivacity, an independent,
not-for-profit organisation with charitable status.
Find out more about
the trust on the Vivacity website.