HALLOWEEN CONTEST 2011 WINNERS!!!

Congratulations to all of the winners of the 2011 Animal Clinic at Thorndale's Halloween Pet Photo Contest!  We had a great time viewing all the submissions this year and all the great outfits made it very tough to choose a winner for each category.  This year's winners will receive a toy of their choice and a gift certificate good for one free exam.

Hit the jump to find all the winning entries.

Most Original:

"Shadow" and "Stormy" Worrall

Cutest: (A two way tie!)

"Chase" Gindhart

and

"Layla" Murphy

Scariest: 

"Zeus" and "Puppy Barker" DiSanti

Celebrity Look-A-Like: 

"Sasha" Reed

Owner Look-A-Like: 

"Bally" Disney

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Halloween Safety

Halloween Safety Tips for Pets

Halloween can be fun and festive for people, but for pets it can also be dangerous. Here are some tips from the AVMA to help you ensure that your pet has a happy and safe Halloween...

1. Don't leave your pet outside unattended on Halloween (or on the days preceding or following this holiday). Halloween pranks committed against pets can be vicious, and black cats are particularly at risk.

2. Halloween treats are for people, not pets. Candy wrappers and lollipop sticks can be hazardous if swallowed and chocolate can be poisonous for some types of pets.

3. Keep pumpkins out of reach of curious noses and paws. Pets may knock over a lit pumpkin and cause a fire.

4. Despite how much fun it is for people, many pets don't enjoy getting dressed up for Halloween. If you do dress your pet, be sure that its costume doesn't interfere with the pet's ability to breathe, see, hear, move, or bark.

5. Consider keeping your pet in a separate room, away from the door, when trick-or-treaters arrive. Strange people in even stranger clothes can frighten some pets.

6. When you do answer the door for visitors, make sure that your pet doesn't suddenly head for the great outdoors. In case your pet does escape, make sure that it is wearing proper identification. Pets with identification are much more likely to be returned to their owners.

For more information and tips about holiday safety for pets, call or visit your family veterinarian. Remember, your veterinarian is your very best source for advice on keeping your pet safe, healthy, and happy!

*All pet safety tips provided by the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association).

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2011 Pet Halloween Contest!

The Animal Clinic at Thorndale is now accepting entries for their Annual Halloween Pet Photo Contest!

One winning contestant from each category will be chosen and awarded a prize!

How To Enter:

All photos should be submitted to our office by October 25, 2011.

You can submit your photo in person at the front desk or by emailing us at animalclinicatthorndale@verizon.net.

Categories:

• Most original
• Cutest
• Scariest
• Celebrity look-a-like
• Owner look-a-like
• Sports fan

The winning entry in each category will be chosen by popular vote among the doctors and staff.

Don't forget to submit your photo by October 25th!!! Read more...

Today Is World Rabies Awareness Day!

Rabies is a preventable but fatal disease that affects the nervous system of mammals. It is spread through contact with the blood or saliva of an infected animal and can be found worldwide. While most rabies cases reported in the US are from wild animals such raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes the disease can also affect domesticated animals such as dogs, cats, cattle, horses and sheep. The fact that our pets can catch the disease and potentially pass it to us is one of a multitude of reasons why it is so important to keep our pets up to date on their rabies vaccinations.

Although the whole month of September is generally dedicated to raising rabies awareness worldwide the official date of observance is not until the 28th of the month.. If interested you can find further information about the disease and how it's spread can be prevented  by checking out the World Rabies Day Website. Read more...

National Pet Memorial Day

Words cannot describe the sense of loss we feel when our faithful friend dies. It is often one of life's most heart-wrenching experiences. Recognizing the importance of remembering our cherished pets, the second Sunday of September is the official National Pet Memorial Day. This is a day set aside to remember our departed companions and special members of our family.

One of the things many of us find helpful is to remember and honor the memory of our pets on an annual basis. And the advantage of a day like National Pet Memorial Day, rather than the date of their death, is that we are likely to find solace among others who share the same feelings as we do.

For 2011, National Pet Memorial Day is September 11th.
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