Timing

There are a few things to consider in planning when you'll hold your puppy party:

• Many clients will be at work during the daytime, and children may be at school. Also, if you work in a busy surgery, there may not be space or staff available.
   
• Evenings and weekends tend to work best, as the whole family can attend.
   
• Make sure you allow at least an hour to prepare for the party (food and drink, merchandise, party bags, cleaning).
   
• Allow 1-2 hours for the party itself.
   
• Allow a further half hour to clean up afterwards.
   
• You will need to decide whether you want to run the parties as a "one-off" for each group or as a series of classes. This will determine the length of the party and the depth of information that you provide.
   
• Also, if the veterinary surgeons talk at length to owners at the first vaccination appointment, you may find that certain information has already been covered and a quick recap is all that is required.

To Charge Or Not To Charge 
There are two schools of thought about charging. The first is that you should charge, because some people will think: 'if it's free, it's not worth anything'. The other school of thought says that you shouldn't charge, because less people will come if you do.

On balance, I believe that puppy parties should be free. The costs of holding the event at the surgery are minimal, and far outweighed by the benefits:

• The puppy party is the perfect way to show owners that going to the vet is not just something you do when a pet is ill.
   
• Puppies that have attended the parties tend to be less fearful of visiting the surgery since they learn to associate the visits with pleasurable events (getting a treat and meeting their human and canine pals).
   
• Owners will learn that the merchandise and diets available are far superior to the supermarket or pet shop brands and that the surgery can provide everything that their puppy needs, along with the bonus of expert help and advice at every visit.

Ultimately, though, the decision as to whether to charge or not will rest with with your employer.

Invitations
Once you have scheduled dates and times, and enlisted a willing helper, it is time to send out the invitations. Clients will love these and really feel that the practice is offering that little bit extra. The party invite should include:

• Date, time and venue
• Cute pictures of puppies!
• A little bit about the party and what to expect
• Criteria for attendance (see Criteria & Conditions)
• Request for a reply

Follow up the invites with a phone call a few days later.