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Happy World Book Day to our wonderful clients at City Vets. Join us as we celebrate our favourite fictional pets. In this article we also explore how we can all take the lessons that we learn from our beloved fictional pets into our everyday lives. Whether you are a fan of the classics such as Wilbur the pig and Stuart Little, or a lover of Bluey and the Australian Heeler family, there is a fictional animal dear to all of us.

From mice to man’s best friend: Caring for pets of any sizes

Some of our favourite books we hold close to our hearts because of the timeless lessons in friendship and care, across a diverse range of different characters. Here at City Vets we care for a wide variety of pets and their unique needs. This World Book Day, celebrate your love of your favourite pet or animal of any size through the characters of your favourite stories. From dogs, to cats, to smaller furry friends including mice, guinea pigs, reptiles and fish!

10 pet-related costume ideas for World Book Day

1. Clifford the Big Red Dog: Dress up as Clifford, the beloved giant red dog from the book series by Norman Bridwell.

2. The Cat in the Hat: Emulate the mischievous cat with a tall, striped hat, and a red bowtie, inspired by Dr. Seuss's iconic character.

3. Peter Rabbit: Transform into the adventurous Peter Rabbit from Beatrix Potter's classic tales with a blue jacket and rabbit ears.

4. Max from "Where the Wild Things Are": Wear a wolf suit to become Max, the adventurous young boy from Maurice Sendak's story.

5. White Rabbit from "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland": Create a costume inspired by the White Rabbit, complete with a waistcoat and a pocket watch.

6. Snoopy from "Peanuts": Don a beagle costume and become the beloved Snoopy, the imaginative pup from Charles M. Schulz's comic strip.

7. Wilbur from "Charlotte's Web": Dress as Wilbur the pig, the main character in E.B. White's classic novel, complete with pig ears and a pink outfit.

8. Toto from "The Wizard of Oz": Transform into Dorothy's loyal dog, Toto, with a dog costume and a small basket to carry.

9. Puss in Boots: Emulate the charming and adventurous Puss in Boots from various fairy tales and the "Shrek" franchise with a stylish outfit and boots.

10. Paddington Bear: A red hat and blue coat is all you need to be instantly recognisable as the marmalade-loving bear from Michael Bond’s classic.

These costume ideas allow you to pay homage to famous pet-related characters from literature on World Book Day.

Promoting responsible pet ownership through World Book Day

At the heart of World Book Day is the acknowledgement of storytelling’s impact on how we view the world around us. Whether it’s the misadventures of Curious George or the loyalty of Old Yeller, these stories include lessons in care and compassion of others, including our pets.

Here at City Vets we are committed to fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for pets by providing excellent veterinary care. Our vet practice is accredited within the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) which means we maintain the highest standards of veterinary care.

Preventative healthcare plays an important role in responsible pet ownership and keeping your pet happy and healthy. Ensure that your pet’s routine treatments are taken care of with our Healthcare Plan which includes treatments such as flea, worming and vaccinations.

Once upon a vet visit: Fictional pets that visit vets

Stories have also highlighted the importance of regular veterinary check-ups. Take, for instance, Snowy, the dog from "The Adventures of Tintin" series by Hergé. Snowy is taken to the vet in several of the comic stories, including "The Crab with the Golden Claws". Snowy is a fictional but relatable companion, who wasn’t too brave to ask for help. Just like Snowy, your furry friend's well-being is our top priority. Regular check-ups play a crucial role in safeguarding the continued health and happiness of pets like Snowy.

Did you know... Our practice is a cat friendly clinic, which means we put measurements in place to provide a calmer setting for your cat?

Learn about our Cat Friendly clinic

Celebrating fictional and real-life pets with World Book Day 2024

As we wrap up this article, we have learned that World Book Day is more than just the stories in the books we read, but about celebrating the unique lives and stories of people and animals all around us. It also helps us to think about the stories that our team at City Vets creates with each patient, each client, and each member of our veterinary family.

Meet our team here

  • Alphington | 12 Lovelace Gardens,
    Alphington,
    Exeter, Devon,
    EX2 8XQ
    | T: 01392 493999 |
  • Heavitree | Rosary House,
    27 Fore Street,
    Heavitree, Exeter,
    EX1 2QJ
    | T: 01392 250066 |
  • St Thomas | 101 Buddle Lane,
    St Thomas,
    Exeter, Devon,
    EX4 1QS
    | T: 01392 250000 |
  • Whipton | 46 Whipton Village Road,
    Exeter,
    Devon,
    EX4 8AW
    | T: 01392 465553 |