This past Saturday was the return of Oregon State University’s Pet Day, an all-day event hosted by the Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine centered around all things pets and one of the most popular events in the Corvallis area.
The day featured many events including the Purina 5K Fun Run, the cat photo contest, and the pet costume contest.
Pet costumes ranged from Princess Leia and Ewoks (the event coincided with May 4), to Dinosaurs and Batman.
In total, about a dozen cuddly contestants contended for first place for the photo and costume contest.
Pets of all kinds were welcomed beyond the typical dogs and cats. Lizards and even a miniature horse were present.
Veterinary students were giving free tours of the veterinary school and hospital to groups throughout the entire day and there was also a teddy bear surgery station where children could have their broken toys stitched up.
Different booths of vendors and organizations, along with bustling crowds of community members with their children and their pets filled the parking lots around Magruder Hall. There were activities and games for children, free goodies and animals of all different kinds for people to interact with including snakes, other reptiles, rabbits and even sheep.
“I think it’s cool that they bring a lot of kids because it’s a fun way to introduce them to all of this,” said third-year veterinary student Jumanah Bilal.
The event is organized every year by students of the veterinary school who are employed by the school to run the event. Last year, 162 first- and second-year students were involved in organizing pet day. This year, third-year students Leila Shetula, Whitney Palmer and Jumanah Bilal were running the veterinary school’s stand and sharing what made the event special to them.
“It can bring the community together,” Palmer said. “You can talk to lots of people and just all the different organizations around here. It’s pretty cool.”
Shetula said she enjoys working with animals.
“It’s just something I can do everyday and be happy,” Shetula said.
Shakey Paw Pet Foundation was another non profit at the event and they were there with their australian shepherd Sami.
Doreen VanTyne is the founder of Shakey Paw Pet Foundation, a Portland-based non-profit. VanTyne was diagnosed with cancer in early 2010 and during her treatments her two Australian shepherds would never leave her side. Shortly after her recovery, the two dogs would pass away of old age. VanTyne went on to found Shakey Paw in their honor which offers pet care to cancer patients and seniors to ensure their pets can stay with them.
The group also adopts and cares for special needs dogs including several different “tri-pawds,” which is a dog that has three legs.
“Well we just lost one of our tri-pawds, so we have another tri-pawd, Darby, who’s five,” VanTyne said. “We just adopted Hope who’s actually on our flier, she’s about 13 and lived her entire life in a cage in a trailer completely neglected. I mean she was rarely fed, never let out for any reason, no exercise, nothing. So we’ve had her for about two months now.”
The organization’s mascot dog, Sami, attended the event but was taking a break when we spoke with VanTyne.For more information about Heartland Humane Society and how to donate or volunteer, visit their website or visit them in person at 398 SW Twin Oaks Circle in Corvallis. Shakey Paw Pet Foundation is in need of volunteers, if interested visit their website or reach out to [email protected]
