- By Maggie Thomas
- Around Town
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Spectacular pumpkin carved by SPCA volunteer Karen Black, photographed by SPCA staffer Leah Brookner
No candy for pets: Chocolate, chewing gum, raisins, grapes, milk products, alcohol and other human food can be toxic for dogs, cat, bunnies, and other companion animals.
Keep your pets inside: The noise and disruption of trick-or-treaters can be very stressful for your pets. Secure them in a quiet comfortable place away from the constantly opening door to avoid escapees and other mishaps.
ID your pets: All pets, indoors and out, should have collars with ID tags in case they escape or bolt due to fright. This is true all year long!
Use care with candles: Setting a spooky atmosphere with candles is fun, but make sure all candles are well out of reach of animals, their wagging tails and curious natures.
Avoid dangerous decorations: Dangling decorations, plastic strings, fake cobwebs and elastic bands are all items that can harm or kill a pet if ingested or entangled.
Be cautious with costumes: Costumes can be fun and interesting for quick photos, but your pet should never be left unattended in a costume and should never wear a costume for more than a few minutes.
Watch out for choking hazards: Small toys, decorations, wrappers and other detritus of Halloween should be kept off of the floor and out of your pet’s reach.
Don’t approach wild animals: Nocturnal animals like skunks, raccoons, coyotes, foxes and others may be disrupted by all of the outdoor activity on Halloween. NEVER approach a wild animal, and again, keep your pets safe inside.
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