Keep Pets Safe from Halloween Tricks & Treats
By: Maggie Kalar, Marketing & Promotions Associate
Topics: Animals, pets, dogs, cats, Halloween, Kern County Animal Control
Posted by Maggie_Kalar Tue Oct 28, 2008 16:29:22 PDT
Viewed 247 times
0 responses 0 comments
Kern County Animal Control and the ASPCA Want to Help You Keep Your Pets Safe.
The arrival of Halloween brings fun parties, trick-or-treaters, and lots of candy. However, some of the goodies and decorations that are used can be potentially hazardous to companion animals. Kern County Animal Control and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) are providing pet owners with some crucial tips to ensure their pets stay healthy and safe this Halloween.
· Don’t bring the family dog along for trick-or-treating. Dogs may become difficult to handle during the noise and confusion of the night. A lost dog or dog bite will quickly end holiday fun.
· Keep pets safely inside, away from trick-or-treaters and other Halloween activities. Pets can become frightened or feel threatened at the sight of noisy, costumed children, and run off into the night.
· Keep pets safe in an enclosed area with a toy and some soothing music.
· Always make sure your pet has proper identification. If for any reason they escape and become lost, a collar and tags and/or microchip increases the chances that they will be found and returned to you.
· Keep candy out of a pet’s reach. Candy can be harmful to pets, and chocolate can be deadly to cats and dogs.
· Keep aluminum foil and cellophane candy wrappers away from pets as they can cause vomiting and could even produce intestinal blockage.
· Don’t put your dog or cat in a costume UNLESS you know he or she loves it. For pets that are dressed up, make sure the costume isn’t annoying or unsafe. It should not constrict the animal’s movement or hearing, or impede the ability to breathe or bark. Look out for small, dangling, or easily chewed-off pieces on the costume that a pet can choke on. Make sure the costume does not obstruct vision in any way.
· Never offer or allow your pets to consume alcoholic beverages. Place unattended drinks where pets cannot reach them. If ingested, the animal could become very ill and weak and may go into a coma, possibly resulting in death from respiratory failure.
· Keep pets away from decorations such as pumpkins and decorative corn. Although considered relatively non-toxic, these items can cause gastrointestinal upset and may even result in intestinal blockage as well if large pieces are ingested.
· Jack-o-lanterns and candles can quickly singe, burn or set fire to a pet’s fur. Pets can easily knock a lit pumpkin over and cause a fire.
· Keep wires and cords from electric lights and other decorations out of reach of pets. If chewed, pets can experience damage to their mouth from shards of glass or plastic, or receive a possibly life-threatening electrical shock.
“Dogs and cats rely on a daily routine, when that routine is disrupted by lots of noise and commotion they can become frightened or agitated. By following these simple tips, parents, children and pets can enjoy a safe and happy Halloween,” stated Guy Shaw, Kern County Animal Control Director.
For more information, contact Kern County Animal Control at 661-868-7104, or you can log onto www.co.kern.ca.us/acd to download a flyer with Halloween Pet Safety Tips.
| Send to a Friend | Report a Violation |
Spotlight
| Cool new People | ||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Find More People
|
||
|
|
||
|
Meet People Who Like ...
writing, outdoors, camping, graphic design, Travel, coffee, dogs, tattoos, gardening, beer, Family, computers, shopping, wildlife, art, friends, cycling, wine, Beach, cooking, music, pizza, hiking, Dancing, Photography, starbucks, pets, guitar, motorcycles, Poetry, myspace, cars, Theatre, Books, swimming, church, Politics, fishing, traveling, food, reading, singing, cats, movies, football, trader joe's, Animals, history, SPORTS, mountains.
|
||
| View Them All | Add Yours! | ||
|
|
||
|
Advertisement: |
||