BROWARD COUNTY, FL - Halloween is upon us, and while this holiday is fun for families, at Broward County Animal Care we want to make sure the season is fun for your pets too. Here are five important safety tips to make this Halloween a safe time for your furry family member:  

• MAKE SURE YOUR PET'S ID IS UP-TO-DATE: Ensure that your dog or cat is wearing their Broward County pet registration license tag on their collar on Halloween (and every day). This will help make sure that your pet will be returned if lost. If your pet has a microchip, be sure the chip is registered with your current contact information. If your pet doesn't have a microchip, make an appointment at our Pet Care Clinic. 
  
  
• KEEP YOUR PET AWAY FROM TRICKS AND TREATS: Halloween can be overwhelming for your pet with the doorbell ringing and children screaming. Place your pet in a safe, quiet room, surrounded by toys they love and on their favorite bed. Do not take them out to trick-or-treat or leave them outside in the yard or patio while children are going from house to house. And be sure to keep them away from the door. It's easy for a pet to slip out or may bite children out of fear or nervousness.
  
  
• ABSOLUTELY NO CANDY: Do not feed your pet any candy -- especially chocolate -- and do not leave the candy where a pet will be able to "help themselves."  Pets have a keen sense of smell, so be sure candy is safely placed away from your pet. As a reminder, foods such as chocolate, grapes and raisins can make your pet sick. In addition, sugar-free candy might even be worse, because it contains xylitol, a common sugar substitute that is toxic to dogs, even in small amounts. Because of these dangers, bags or bowls of candy should always be out of reach from pets, and children should be taught never to share their treats. If you suspect your pet has ingested something harmful, contact your veterinarian right away.
  
  
• KEEP THE GLOW STICK AWAY: These handy sticks help keep children visible at night, but pets may think they are a cool toy (especially cats)! A good bite, or a puncture to the glow stick will be bitter to your pet and may cause drooling or an upset stomach. While most glow sticks are non-toxic, it is better to keep these items away from your pet. 
  
  
• BEWARE OF COSTUME HAZARDS: Your dog or cat may look very cute, but be wary of pet costumes that use rubber bands to hold it in place. If you mistakenly leave rubber bands on your pet after the costume comes off, the band can burrow into the animal's skin and cause infection. In addition, the pet may swallow the elastic, which can result in intestinal problems.