AVMA, Auxiliary celebrate National Pet Week

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2017 National Pet Week posterThe AVMA is celebrating “A Lifetime of Love” for National Pet Week 2017, May 7-13, and the Auxiliary to the AVMA is spreading the message that “People Who Care Take Their Pet To The Vet.”

The AVMA and the AVMA Auxiliary created National Pet Week in 1981 to foster responsible pet ownership, recognize the human-animal bond, and increase public awareness of veterinary medicine.

To help AVMA members mark the occasion, the Association provides a member toolkit here. The toolkit includes resources such as a template for a press release, images and posts to share on social media, and ideas for ways clinics can promote the event. Through April 28, clinic owners can order a free poster for their clinic.

The Association has chosen a focus for each day of National Pet Week, starting with selecting the right pet for the family. The focus for each day is as follows:

  • Choose well. Commit for life.
  • Socialize now. New doesn’t have to be scary.
  • Exercise body. Exercise mind.
  • Love your pet? See your vet!
  • Pet population control: Know your role.
  • Emergencies happen. Be prepared.
  • Give them a lifetime of love.

The National Pet Week website is focusing on messaging to the public. The AVMA also will be conducting a campaign on social media.

Jade Tamashiro’s winning poster for 2017

The Auxiliary held its annual poster and writing contests in 2016 to generate promotional materials for National Pet Week 2017.

Jade Tamashiro of Kapolei, Hawaii, was in seventh grade when she submitted the accompanying artwork that won the poster contest. Ava Styles of Rome, Georgia, was in first grade when she submitted the following poem that won the writing contest:

If you love your pet,
then bring it to the vet.
So if you have a flu,
the vet will help you.
I love the vet
because they take care of your pet.

The Auxiliary is seeking entries for the poster and writing contests for National Pet Week 2018. The theme will be “Barks, Purrs, Tweets, Neighs ... Pets Speak Love Many Ways.” June 17 is the postmark deadline. The contests are open to students in kindergarten through 12th grade. To order the 2017 poster or get details about the 2018 contests, email infoatavmaaux [dot] org (info[at]avmaaux[dot]org) or call Greg Mooney at 419-560-0165.