#VCAPets Pawfect Twitter Party Recap

    I am still reflecting on all of the valuable advice that was shared during the VCA Pawfect Twitter Party!  The party was hosted by Latina On A Mission’s,  @MsLatina and sponsored by VCA Animal Hospitals.  As pet owners, we were given tips on everything from ways to keep our pets cool during the warm summer months to the kind of veterinary care we should be giving our pets during the different stages of their lives.  It was a wonderful opportunity for pet owners to speak to the Party Panelist, Dr. Donna Spector who is a VCA Veterinarian and a Pet Health Expert.  She was on hand throughout the entire party to answer all of the questions that everyone had about VCA Hospitals and individual questions that they had about their own pets.

    We learned that VCA Hospitals have a Pet Adoption Partnership Program with shelters across the country to help find homes for rescue animals all over the United States.  To make sure that these newly adopted pets receive the veterinary care that they need, VCA offers free initial health exams to all their new pet patients.  Many VCA locations also offer boarding and grooming to help support families when they go away on vacation or simply need to travel without their pets.  This goes a long way in putting the minds of pet owners at ease about leaving their babies behind and not having to worry whether or not they are being well taken care of.

    Here are some of the tips that party attendees were given to keep their pets healthy and happy:

To ensure that you are getting quality pet products, you should always purchase them directly from your veterinarian.

-You should consult with your Veterinarian regarding which food you should be feeding your pet. 

-Some pets with Colitis benefit from having extra fiber in their diet.

-When pets get car sick, sometimes cracking a window in the car and giving them some air helps with their nausea.

-If your pet gets overheated, do not bathe them in cold water.  It is better to put a cool towel on their head and snout.

-If you’re vacationing with your pet, be sure to bring a portable food & water bowl, their ID tags & a pet first aid kit with you!

-Dogs and cats can get sunburned, especially those with light, short coats.  It is important that they wear protection when they are out in the sun.

-Common signs that your pet is suffering from heatstroke are labored breathing and excessive panting.

    It was wonderful to see so many caring pet owners together sharing stories about their pets and posting pictures of their furry babies.  At one point, they were asked by the hostess, @MsLatina what the names of their pets were.  Among some of the most original and creative pet names that were shared were Smokey-Bear, Shadow, Onyx, Sgt. Pepper, Bell, Lucy, Sammy, Baby, and Jax.  Most of the pet owners had stories around why they chose the name that they did for their pets and they seemed to agree that a pet’s name should have some kind of connection to the physical features and the personality of that pet.

    The party was a huge success and was the first Twitter campaign hosted by Stiletto Media.  Almost 100 Tweeps RSVP’d in the hopes of winning some of these fabulous VCA Pawfect Twitter Party prizes:

Capturing Summer Fun with Your Pet (Grand Prize)
• $100 Amex gift card
• Digital Picture Frame
• VCA branded gifts for your pet

Beach Safety Kit
• $50 Amex gift card
• Beach cooler and towel
• VCA branded gifts for your pet

Pet Travel Pack
• $50 gas card
• Pet traveler’s seat for your vehicle
• VCA branded gifts for your pet

Cat Wellness Kit
• $50 Amex gift card
• Cat shampoo, vitamins, and feline dental chews
• VCA branded gifts for your cat

Dog Wellness Kit
• $50 Amex gift card
• dog shampoo, vitamins, and doggie dental chews
• VCA branded gifts for your dog

    The great thing is that the fun doesn’t end just because the VCA Pawfect Twitter Party has ended.  For more health tips for pets and helpful information for pet owners, visit the VCA Animal Hospitals Website and follow them on Twitter under the handle @VCAPetHealth.  Also, your pet could be their next “Pet of the Week.”  Simply visit and “like” the VCA Animal Hospitals Facebook page and submit your favorite pet photos!

Disclosure: This is a paid campaign created in collaboration with Stiletto Media and VCA Animal Hospitals.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

© 2011 – 2013, Tough Cookie Mommy. All rights reserved.

Comments

  1. I wished I won at this twitter party =(. I participated in VCA pets Twitter party July 26, but lost. It was heartbreaking to not win anything because of the horrible situation we are in financially. I couldn’t stop crying that night, that is how much I wanted to win for my dogs. I am still depressed about it to this minute.I have FOUR pugs:1. Mugsy – 19 year old, Fawn, Male, Pug
    2. Ernie – 10 year old, Black, Male, Pug
    3. Princess – unsure of age.. we rescued her 3 years ago. She looks like she is around 5-6 years old, Fawn, Female, Pug
    4. Busta Wu – we also rescued him and he looks like he could be 4-5 years old, Fawn, Male, Pug I hope VCApets could help me. Right now my family is in such a struggle financially we couldn’t even afford $15 to get our 19 year old pug his medication which we were 5 days behind in. Someone was so kind to lend us $15 so we can finally get his medicine. We always put are dogs before ourselves and we are finding ourselves behind in all of our bills, to the point we are all stressed out, extremely nervous and depressed. Our car got taken away Monday, we just had our water put back on, and we are close to having our electricity shut off.  Everyday things just seem to get worse.  We were hit suddenly with this economy and things are not improving.  We are so used to helping others and giving, begging is something we not used to. We are scared, and lost. My family has became soulless and more like miserable zombies because of this economy. This economy has put us in so many difficult situations and have restricted us from getting many things our dogs need, which has made me even more depressed. I am especially stressed out about my 19 year old pug, Mugsy. I am an only child and as an only child I was lonely, especially since my father was always working. When I turned 5 years old, I was blessed with Mugsy. He completely changed my life from that moment on. He cheered me up and made me feel like I was not alone. I can not count how many times he has brought a smile to my face or made me laugh. I am 24 years old now and he continues to make me smile. I want to make sure I make Mugsy smile just as much as he makes me smile. I want him to be happy and live the rest of his life happy and comfortable. I love Mugsy so so so much, it kills me inside to know that we can not afford his medication or even a dog bed for him. We try to make him comfortable with blankets and pillows but he ends up losing his balance or a pillow slips from under him or the blanket does not support him well and he ends up falling to his side and flopping like a fish. He sleeps in my room at night on a blanket, because I fear he would fall of my bed when I am a sleep. His blanket is by my door. I woke up to him flopping and banging against my door, because he fell over again and couldn’t get up. He was banging against my door so hard it sounded like someone was slamming a cannon against my dog. I had to hold him and cradle him the rest of the night. I wish someone would be so kind and help us with an orthopedic dog bed and anything else to help him with his severe arthritis and hip dysplasia. He cannot even hold himself up to drink water from his dish and I have to hold him up while he drinks water. Everyday from February until today, I have been contacting companies, non-profit organizations, churches, humane society, salvation army, you name it, asking for some sort of assistance, donation, or help, to just get no response or “no” as an answer. Some just tell me to go to non-profit organizations or to go somewhere else. I have been pointed in so many directions I probably made 1,000,000 circles by now. I even enter contests in hope to have some luck one day. I find myself losing hope and becoming more depressed. I don;t want anything for myself, I want to help my four pugs, especially my Mugsy. I won;t be able to live with myself if something happens to my Mugsy or my other pugs. I can’t sleep anymore, that is how sad I am and when I do go sleep, I end up crying myself to sleep. I wish someone would help us and anything they need I will do to show my appreciation. My family will too. I just hope someone can help, please.

  2. I wished I won at this twitter party =(. I participated in VCA pets Twitter party July 26, but lost. It was heartbreaking to not win anything because of the horrible situation we are in financially. I couldn’t stop crying that night, that is how much I wanted to win for my dogs. I am still depressed about it to this minute.I have FOUR pugs:1. Mugsy – 19 year old, Fawn, Male, Pug
    2. Ernie – 10 year old, Black, Male, Pug
    3. Princess – unsure of age.. we rescued her 3 years ago. She looks like she is around 5-6 years old, Fawn, Female, Pug
    4. Busta Wu – we also rescued him and he looks like he could be 4-5 years old, Fawn, Male, Pug I hope VCApets could help me. Right now my family is in such a struggle financially we couldn’t even afford $15 to get our 19 year old pug his medication which we were 5 days behind in. Someone was so kind to lend us $15 so we can finally get his medicine. We always put are dogs before ourselves and we are finding ourselves behind in all of our bills, to the point we are all stressed out, extremely nervous and depressed. Our car got taken away Monday, we just had our water put back on, and we are close to having our electricity shut off.  Everyday things just seem to get worse.  We were hit suddenly with this economy and things are not improving.  We are so used to helping others and giving, begging is something we not used to. We are scared, and lost. My family has became soulless and more like miserable zombies because of this economy. This economy has put us in so many difficult situations and have restricted us from getting many things our dogs need, which has made me even more depressed. I am especially stressed out about my 19 year old pug, Mugsy. I am an only child and as an only child I was lonely, especially since my father was always working. When I turned 5 years old, I was blessed with Mugsy. He completely changed my life from that moment on. He cheered me up and made me feel like I was not alone. I can not count how many times he has brought a smile to my face or made me laugh. I am 24 years old now and he continues to make me smile. I want to make sure I make Mugsy smile just as much as he makes me smile. I want him to be happy and live the rest of his life happy and comfortable. I love Mugsy so so so much, it kills me inside to know that we can not afford his medication or even a dog bed for him. We try to make him comfortable with blankets and pillows but he ends up losing his balance or a pillow slips from under him or the blanket does not support him well and he ends up falling to his side and flopping like a fish. He sleeps in my room at night on a blanket, because I fear he would fall of my bed when I am a sleep. His blanket is by my door. I woke up to him flopping and banging against my door, because he fell over again and couldn’t get up. He was banging against my door so hard it sounded like someone was slamming a cannon against my dog. I had to hold him and cradle him the rest of the night. I wish someone would be so kind and help us with an orthopedic dog bed and anything else to help him with his severe arthritis and hip dysplasia. He cannot even hold himself up to drink water from his dish and I have to hold him up while he drinks water. Everyday from February until today, I have been contacting companies, non-profit organizations, churches, humane society, salvation army, you name it, asking for some sort of assistance, donation, or help, to just get no response or “no” as an answer. Some just tell me to go to non-profit organizations or to go somewhere else. I have been pointed in so many directions I probably made 1,000,000 circles by now. I even enter contests in hope to have some luck one day. I find myself losing hope and becoming more depressed. I don;t want anything for myself, I want to help my four pugs, especially my Mugsy. I won;t be able to live with myself if something happens to my Mugsy or my other pugs. I can’t sleep anymore, that is how sad I am and when I do go sleep, I end up crying myself to sleep. I wish someone would help us and anything they need I will do to show my appreciation. My family will too. I just hope someone can help, please.

  3. I wished I won at this twitter party =(. I participated in VCA pets Twitter party July 26, but lost. It was heartbreaking to not win anything because of the horrible situation we are in financially. I couldn’t stop crying that night, that is how much I wanted to win for my dogs. I am still depressed about it to this minute.I have FOUR pugs:1. Mugsy – 19 year old, Fawn, Male, Pug
    2. Ernie – 10 year old, Black, Male, Pug
    3. Princess – unsure of age.. we rescued her 3 years ago. She looks like she is around 5-6 years old, Fawn, Female, Pug
    4. Busta Wu – we also rescued him and he looks like he could be 4-5 years old, Fawn, Male, Pug I hope VCApets could help me. Right now my family is in such a struggle financially we couldn’t even afford $15 to get our 19 year old pug his medication which we were 5 days behind in. Someone was so kind to lend us $15 so we can finally get his medicine. We always put are dogs before ourselves and we are finding ourselves behind in all of our bills, to the point we are all stressed out, extremely nervous and depressed. Our car got taken away Monday, we just had our water put back on, and we are close to having our electricity shut off.  Everyday things just seem to get worse.  We were hit suddenly with this economy and things are not improving.  We are so used to helping others and giving, begging is something we not used to. We are scared, and lost. My family has became soulless and more like miserable zombies because of this economy. This economy has put us in so many difficult situations and have restricted us from getting many things our dogs need, which has made me even more depressed. I am especially stressed out about my 19 year old pug, Mugsy. I am an only child and as an only child I was lonely, especially since my father was always working. When I turned 5 years old, I was blessed with Mugsy. He completely changed my life from that moment on. He cheered me up and made me feel like I was not alone. I can not count how many times he has brought a smile to my face or made me laugh. I am 24 years old now and he continues to make me smile. I want to make sure I make Mugsy smile just as much as he makes me smile. I want him to be happy and live the rest of his life happy and comfortable. I love Mugsy so so so much, it kills me inside to know that we can not afford his medication or even a dog bed for him. We try to make him comfortable with blankets and pillows but he ends up losing his balance or a pillow slips from under him or the blanket does not support him well and he ends up falling to his side and flopping like a fish. He sleeps in my room at night on a blanket, because I fear he would fall of my bed when I am a sleep. His blanket is by my door. I woke up to him flopping and banging against my door, because he fell over again and couldn’t get up. He was banging against my door so hard it sounded like someone was slamming a cannon against my dog. I had to hold him and cradle him the rest of the night. I wish someone would be so kind and help us with an orthopedic dog bed and anything else to help him with his severe arthritis and hip dysplasia. He cannot even hold himself up to drink water from his dish and I have to hold him up while he drinks water. Everyday from February until today, I have been contacting companies, non-profit organizations, churches, humane society, salvation army, you name it, asking for some sort of assistance, donation, or help, to just get no response or “no” as an answer. Some just tell me to go to non-profit organizations or to go somewhere else. I have been pointed in so many directions I probably made 1,000,000 circles by now. I even enter contests in hope to have some luck one day. I find myself losing hope and becoming more depressed. I don;t want anything for myself, I want to help my four pugs, especially my Mugsy. I won;t be able to live with myself if something happens to my Mugsy or my other pugs. I can’t sleep anymore, that is how sad I am and when I do go sleep, I end up crying myself to sleep. I wish someone would help us and anything they need I will do to show my appreciation. My family will too. I just hope someone can help, please.

    • I’m sorry that you are going through a difficult time, the economy surely has affected a lot of people. Thank you for sharing your story with us. Perhaps you will be able to receive help from one of the many charitable organizations that help rescue animals. You will be able to get a lot of information from the VCA Hospitals website and Facebook page that might be of help. Good luck.

    • I’m sorry that you are going through a difficult time, the economy surely has affected a lot of people. Thank you for sharing your story with us. Perhaps you will be able to receive help from one of the many charitable organizations that help rescue animals. You will be able to get a lot of information from the VCA Hospitals website and Facebook page that might be of help. Good luck.

    • I’m sorry that you are going through a difficult time, the economy surely has affected a lot of people. Thank you for sharing your story with us. Perhaps you will be able to receive help from one of the many charitable organizations that help rescue animals. You will be able to get a lot of information from the VCA Hospitals website and Facebook page that might be of help. Good luck.

  4. PetitBebe CreatioNZ says

    Hi – stopping in to say hello cause it is Follow me Friday.  I found you last week through Thrifty Ninja.

    http://petitbebecreationz.wordpress.com/

  5. Thanks for joining in the Planet Weidknecht Weekend Hop! I hope you’ll come visit again next weekend.

  6. Thanks for joining in the Planet Weidknecht Weekend Hop! I hope you’ll come visit again next weekend.

Speak Your Mind

By using this form you agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website.

*