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The Humane Society of the United States Offers Tips to Keep Your Pets Safe on Halloween
October 25, 2008, 12:23PM MT
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Protecting our fur babies from ghosts and goblins
Protecting our fur babies from ghosts and goblins
HSUS Press Release - October 20, 2008
Believe it or not, your pet too can get the heebie-jeebies on the most ghoulish night of the year. The Humane Society of the United States would like to remind pet owners that humans aren't the only ones susceptible to frightening activity on Halloween. Unusual activity such as constant doorbells, knocking and shouting can be very frightening to an animal.
The best place for pets on this occasion is a safe, quiet spot, well out of the way of the activities, says The HSUS. "It is important to think of Halloween from your pet's perspective," said Stephanie Shain, director of outreach for the Companion Animal Section of The Humane Society of the United States. "A constant stream of strangers at the door, some 'creatures' they've never seen before or just a sharp increase in activity can be agitating or frightening. For their comfort and safety, the most considerate thing you can do for your own pet is keep them away from the evening's activities."
To help people keep pets safe and happy on Halloween, The HSUS recommends taking the following precautions:
• Keep pets safely inside; away from trick-or-treaters and other Halloween activities.
• Cats – black ones in particular – often fall victim to pranksters. Keep cats safely indoors. Visit: HSUS Safe Cats Campaign for more information.
• Make certain that all pets are wearing collars with ID tags. Frequently open doors provide perfect opportunities for escape, despite an owner's best efforts.
• Keep candy out of your pet's reach. Candy can be harmful to pets and chocolate is toxic to dogs, cats, and ferrets.
• Decorations should be kept away from pets. Candle flames can potentially set fire to a pet's fur. Dangling decorations should be kept in high places to avoid pet entanglement, choking and other potentially life-threatening hazards.
• The only costume most pets want to wear is their own furry birthday suit. Costumes and masks can increase their risk of injury by causing them to feel confined and restricting movement.
• If trick-or-treating is the name of your game – leave the family dog at home. Dogs can be difficult to control amidst all the commotion. A lost pet or dog bite will quickly end your Halloween fun.
• Use fake cobwebs sparingly outdoors on your trees and bushes. These may adversely affect both pets and wildlife. Small birds are especially vulnerable and can easily become entangled in the webbing.
Wild animals should be avoided to keep everyone safe. Nocturnal critters such as raccoons, opossums, and foxes wake up and venture out for food, and Halloween night is no exception. The best advice is to keep a safe distance between you and any animal you do not know, including cats and dogs.
Bats, a wild neighbor with a bad rap and a classic Halloween staple are, in reality, both interesting and beneficial creatures. Ironically, most bats, especially those in colder climates, have already found a nice cool, dark place to hibernate for the winter by Halloween night.
Using the tips above, we can all work together to keep our beloved pets and wild neighbors safe this Halloween.
Additional resources:
PetSmart Tips for Halloween Pet Safety
American Animal Hospital Association Tips for Halloween Pet Safety
Treat your pets to a safe Halloween (ASPCA)
Top 10 Halloween Safety Tips for Pet Parents (ASPCA)
Posted by Barbara J. Koll, Best Friends Network Volunteer
Photo Courtesy of Morgue File.