Pet Day at OSU’s Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine is happening from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, May 3, with plenty of activities and educational opportunities for the whole family.
Pet Day is held mostly outdoors at Magruder Hall, 700 SW 30th Street in Corvallis.
Leashed pets are welcome at Pet Day, though they are not permitted inside Magruder per university policy and must be attended by their owners at all times.
> VIDEO: See what’s in store with this video from Pet Day 2024. Cute animals abound.
Events include:
- Purina 5K Fun Run: Check-in is from 7-9 a.m., and the run starts at 9 a.m. $20 for early registration or $25 (cash only) for day-of registration. Free t-shirts for all who register online by May 1; shirts will be available at the race for $10 each (cash or check) while supplies last. Participants must sign this waiver and bring it with them.
- Pet costume contest: Dress up your pets to fit the categories “Dynamic Duo” (matching owner and pet costumes), “Animals in Disguise” (dressed as a different species from their own), “Best Costume – Dogs and Cats” or “Best Costume – Other Species.” Contest and judging are from 1-2:30 p.m. with the award announcement at 2:30 p.m. Register for $4 here or in person.
- Cat photo contest: Submit your cat photos in the categories “Adoptable Cats,” “Best Loaf,” “Most Creative” or “Most Mischievous.” Winners will be featured on the college’s Instagram.
- Teddy bear surgery: Kids find the “foreign body” in the stuffed animal of their choice and then assist the student surgeon in removing it and stitching their new friend back up.
- Lois Bates Acheson Veterinary Teaching Hospital tours: Tours will start in Magruder 1152 on the south side of Magruder Hall, first floor; there will be signs posted to direct visitors to this room, and a sign-up sheet there so they can pick when they want to go on a tour.
- Hands-on science station presented by the college’s Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.
- “Wonders of Anatomy” exhibit.
- Chintimini Wildlife Center booth with animal ambassadors.
- Kids Zone with bounce house (small fee required).
- More than 60 vendor booths, including several food vendors to keep the humans happy.
New this year is an activity called “Picasso Puppies,” where dog owners get to choose colored paints to go on a paper that is sealed inside a Ziploc bag. The outside of the bag is then coated with sprayable cheese, which the dog licks, moving paint around inside the plastic to create a painting.
Pet Day is organized by the first- and second-year classes in the veterinary college, with the funds raised going toward paying for graduation regalia and other associated costs for those two classes.
“I hope the community enjoys coming together to get some insight into what we, as a college, are doing,” said second-year veterinary student and event organizer Meghan Schuster. “This is our way to showcase our school and thank the community for their support of our mission.
Fellow second-year veterinary student organizer Kristen Bird said the event will highlight the many facets of veterinary science, from medicine to therapy work, rehabilitation and rescues.
“I think Pet Day highlights the sincere passion shared by everyone in the veterinary and animal care community, as well as the sacrifices the field requires,” Bird say. “I hope Pet Day inspires the next generation of animal and science lovers. The beauty of the veterinary field, to me, is that it combines learning with a love of animals.
“It is a privilege to be able to turn your favorite things in life into your job.”
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