Pets and the H1N1 Virus

(Photo courtesy of about.com/Janet Tobiassen Crosby)

We have all heard of the H1N1 Virus or the dreaded "swine flu," and many of us have either been affected by it, or know someone who has. But how does it affect our pets? Can we give it to them?

It seems the risk is very small, unless you are the owner of a pot-bellied pig or a ferret, but check out http://vetmedicine.about.com/b/2009/09/18/can-my-dog-or-cat-get-swine-flu.htm for the latest information on our dog and cat friends.

Stay Well!

As October comes to a close....

We have been busy this past week with a nearly full house for Fall Break, but even as things settle down, there are so many things coming up to plan for and talk about! We wanted to remind everyone as Halloween approaches that Best Friends Carmel is offering a special Halloween Activity Package for those lucky dogs boarding over the spooky holiday!

For only $14 additional dollars, your pooch can have a Trick or Treat Walk and Explore, a Pumpkin Patch playtime and a yummy take-home Goody Bag! Don't forget to pamper them a little if you're going to be away! For those of you booking reservations online at http://www.bestfriendspetcare.com/ watch for coupons offering 50% off of boarding on 10/31 on a 2 or more night stay for dogs boarding between 10/28 and 10/31, plus a goody bag...what a deal!

Also, please be sure and check out important safety tips for your pets this Halloween to keep everyone safe and healthy!

Once Halloween is behind us, it will be time to start preparing for the Great Indy Pet Expo coming in November. Don't miss out on one of the biggest pet events in the city! Follow our blog for more details....

Until then, Happy Haunting...

Best Friends Carmel

APPA Pet Poetry Contest!

Your 3rd, 4th or 5th graders chance to win a bunch of pet products!!! The APPA Pet Poetry Contest. Read the article below from Pet Business Magazine for more details.

APPA Pet Poetry Contest

"October 19, 2009
GREENWICH, Ct.—The American Pet Products Association (APPA) is now accepting poems for the 2nd Annual APPA National Children’s Pet Poetry Contest through its public awareness campaign, Pets Add Life (PAL).

Third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students are invited to write a unique poem about their pets, what they love about them, the joys they bring, and then post it online at www.petsaddlife.org or mail their final poem and submission form to: Pets Add Life, 45 Winter Street, Reno, NV 89503. Deadline for submissions is January 15, 2010 at 5:00pm EST.

Two students from each grade level (six total) nationwide will win a generous amount of pet products and a “byline” in a nationally circulated publication. In addition, the six winning students’ classrooms will each receive a $1,000 scholarship to spend on pet-related education.

“Our goal with the Pets Add Life campaign is to help engage our nation’s youth in the joys and benefits of pet ownership,” Bob Vetere, president of APPA. “Last year we received a great response to the contest from students, parents, teachers, and principals alike, and we’re looking forward to another great year of creative pet poems by inspired children across the country.”

For more information, visit www.petsaddlife.org."

Tongues-A-Waggin' at Best Friends Carmel...

Thought we'd share a few of our furry friends who love letting it all hang out.....

Best Friends Jack-O-Lantern!

Happy Halloween from Best Friends!! Check out this awesome pumpkin carving created by our Houston location!

Paws in the Park

We at Best Friends Carmel are excited to be participating in the 2nd Annual Paws in the Park http://www.pawsindy.com event on Saturday, October 10th from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.!

The event, supporting local abused, abandoned or sheltered pets, will be held in Broad Ripple Park at 1550 Broad Ripple Avenue. Bring your pets for a day of family fun, including live blues music, contests, face-painting, interactive shows and pet care demonstrations.

Be sure to stop by our table for a chance to win valuable gift certificates and to talk to one of our associates about our outstanding boarding, grooming and training programs...we hope to see everyone there!

Halloween Activity Package!!

We wanted to remind everyone that Halloween weekend is fast approaching.........do you have your pets' costume picked out yet? :-) Here at Best Friends Carmel, we will be offering a special Halloween activity package for all the pets boarding with us over the spooky holiday, which will consist of a Trick or Treat Excursion (walk and explore), a Pumpkin Patch playtime and a special Halloween Goody Bag! Normally $17 worth of activities, your pet can have this special package for only $14 per day in addition to our normal boarding rates!

If you are boarding over Halloween, be sure and dress your pet in his or her very best costume....we will have a contest and the pooch with the best costume will win a prize!

As always we welcome tours anytime during regular business hours (Mon-Fri 8-6, Sat. 8-5 and Sunday 3-6 p.m.)...or you can check out our website at www.bestfriendspetcare.com