Make Halloween Safe for Your Pet

- Take Caution with Holiday Candy and Trick-or-Treaters -

DATE: October 21, 2015
CONTACT: Lisa Mendheim, Public Education Coordinator
Broward County Animal Care and Adoption
PHONE: 954-359-1010
EMAIL: lmendheim@broward.org

BROWARD COUNTY, FL - Snoopy may have risen out of the pumpkin patch on Halloween night, but for most pets, October 31st isn't much fun. That's why Broward's Animal Care and Adoption is offering some important tips to make this Halloween a safe time for your four-legged family member:

DO keep your pet inside your home in a safe, quiet room surrounded by his or her favorite bed and toys during trick-or-treat time.

DO NOT leave your cat and dog outside when children are trick-or-treating in the neighborhood.

DO keep your pet away from the front or back doors during trick-or-treating hours. Pets can easily slip through the door when it is opened to hand out candy. In addition, dogs may bite children out of fear or nervousness.

DO NOT feed your pet any candy -- especially chocolate -- and do not leave the candy bag where a pet will be able to "help themselves."

DO make sure that your pet - dog or cat - is wearing their Broward County pet registration tag on their collar. This will help ensure that your pet will be returned to you if he/she does get out during Halloween festivities.

Animal Care also recommends against taking your dog trick-or-treating. Your dog or cat may look very cute in a costume, 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 quickly burrow into the animal's skin and cause infection. In addition, the pet may swallow the band, which can result in intestinal problems.

"We ask all pet owners to remember that Halloween can be a very scary time for dogs and cats. It is not a time to leave your pet outside or to give them access to trick-or-treating children or candy. Even the most calm and patient pet can become frightened by strange masks and groups of costumed children," says Dr. Tim Johnston, Broward County Veterinarian. "Therefore, the best treat you can give your pet on Halloween is a safe spot in the house, away from all of the excitement and spirit of the holiday."

About Animal Care
Broward County Animal Care and Adoption is dedicated to providing shelter for lost and homeless animals. The agency provides access to hundreds of shelter pets hoping for a new home. Please prevent unwanted animals and have your pet spayed or neutered. For more information about the agency, visit our website, or "like us" on Facebook.com/BrowardPets.