6 former Westminster winners help launch Purina Event Center for dog and cat shows

Purina center launch aided by top dogs

GRAY SUMMIT, Mo. — Nestle Purina unveiled its new event center built specifically for dog and cat shows.

On hand for Wednesday’s unveiling in eastern Missouri were six former winners of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show — the Super Bowl of dog shows.

Nestle Purina PetCare-North America President Terence Block called the $10 million center in Gray Summit, Mo., a one-of-a-kind facility. Gray Summit is about 35 miles southeast of St. Louis.

Most dog shows are held in places such as sports arenas or auditoriums.

The Purina Event Center offers dogs, cats and their owners amenities aimed at them — rubberized floors for animal paws, space for 74 RVs for participants, showers and a 13,500-square-foot grooming area.