Halloween isn’t just for humans “” critters of all shapes and sizes will be given the opportunity to transform themselves on this spookiest of holidays. Kelly Patri, owner of Ocean Beach pet store Bone Appetit will present the shop’s first annual Animal Howl-O-Ween Costume Contest on Saturday, Oct. 28, and everyone is invited to join in on the fun.
“We’ll be judging on lots of different categories and we’ll be giving away prizes throughout the day,” Patri said.
If you haven’t found the perfect look for your four-legged pal, Bone Appetit has a variety of costumes that can instantly turn your bulldog into a skunk or transform the meekest of mutts into a dogzilla.
“We also have a variety of costumes for cats,” Patri said. “The looks range from devils to angels and we even have a witch costume “” and your cat doesn’t have to be black to wear one.”
From dogs donning hula skirts to pumpkin suits, Halloween for these pets is something to howl about. Not to neglect the rest of the domesticated animal kingdom, from ferrets to parrots this is an event for all of the real party animals in Ocean Beach.
While it may be a bit of a task to convince Rover to slip on a black leather jacket, goggles and a Marlin Brando-style motorcycle cap, once attired, the pets seem to have a doggone good time.
“The animals love the attention they get when they’re in costume,” Patri said. “You can actually see a personality change come over the animals, especially the dogs.”
For those animals that are just too difficult to shop for or just flat-out refuse to slip their paws into a skunk suit, Bone Appetit offers a number of easy to wear accessories like devil horns, angel halos, cowboy boots “” that’s right, there are cowboy boots for dogs “” and doggie Hawaiian shirts for the surfin’ set.
Bone Appetit has been serving Ocean Beach’s critters for just under 2 years. They recently moved from Santa Monica Boulevard to their spacious new digs on Newport Avenue.
“We have 1800 square feet at our new store and it’s filled with everything and anything you could ever want or need for your pet,” Patri said. “From gourmet dog food and treats to toys, strollers, grooming supplies, cat furniture, crates, kennels and more than 50 brands of food. And, if we don’t have it in the store we can get it for you.”
A true pet lover, Patri helps find homes for abandoned cats and kittens.
“We have created the Bone Appetit cat and kitten rescue, in addition to working with Feral Cat Coalition and Shelter Cat Partners,” she continued. “We take in any overflow from the Central County Animal Shelter and adopt them out here from our shop.”
Bone Appetit’s Pet Costume Party runs from noon to 3 p.m., with costume judging beginning at 2 p.m. The store is located at 4845 Newport Ave. For more information, call (619) 226-6250.