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Community Corner

Howl-o-ween

Celebrating the season with your pet.

As Halloween approaches, many pet parents are getting their furry ones ready to celebrate the holiday. According to the National Retail Federation, 15 percent of Americans will dress up their pets for Halloween and spend $310 million on costumes.

Whether you buy or make your pet a costume, there are a number of ways you can celebrate and show off your fur baby. You can get a Halloween pet portrait taken by Think Massmedia this Saturday, Oct. 22, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Pet People in Los Gatos, or on Friday, Oct. 28, between 6 and 8 p.m. during the event at the Civic Center Plaza in Milpitas. And there's no sitting fee.

Once you snap a photo of Fido or Fluffy, enter it in PetSmart’s contest and your pet could appear on a national PetSmart television commercial. Visit the PetSmart website and upload a photo of your pet in costume by Monday, Oct. 24. Finalists compete for votes on PetSmart’s Facebook page, and the winner will be announced Nov. 11.

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And don’t miss Society Dog’s Howling Halloween extravaganza in Los Gatos this Saturday, Oct. 22. The cost is $15 if you register in advance and $20 on the day of the event. Dress your dog up and join the fun as you trick or treat in downtown Los Gatos. Afterward, there’s a costume contest and raffle. There’s always a high turnout for this event, and a bevy of creative canine costumes. For more details or to register, visit the Society Dog website.

Pet of the Week

Find out what's happening in Gilroywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

This week’s pet, Jersey, is looking for a forever home. The three-year-old Parson or "Jack" Russell Terrier mix is true to his breed. He's energetic, playful and affectionate. For more information on Jersey and other pets available for adoption, visit the Silicon Valley Animal Control Authority (SVACA) website.

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