Halloween Doesn't Have To Be Scary For Pets

By Melissa K. Gable

While Halloween is often fun for children, it can be a nightmare for pets. Friends of Animal Care & Control has advice for pet owners to make this year’s holiday safe for furry family members.

Make sure your animals are safely indoors for Halloween. There are many stories of pranksters teasing, scaring or harming dogs and cats that are kept in front yards or wandering the streets on Halloween.
If possible, keep animals safely tucked away in a spare bedroom for the evening. Dogs and cats can quickly dart out the front door unnoticed during the festivities. Even the calmest dog may be scared by costumed visitors – which could result in a bite.
Keep pets away from Halloween candy. Chocolate can be toxic and cellophane or tin foil wrappings could get caught in your pet’s digestive tract – causing illness or possibly death.
Watch your pet around jack o’ lanterns! Curious kitties may try to play with the flickering flame and a rambunctious pup could accidentally knock over the festive pumpkin.
Don’t force your pet to wear a costume. If your dog or cat enjoys dressing up, make sure the costume isn’t constricting or interferes with your pet’s vision. Always supervise your pet while he is in costume.


Easley’s Fun Shop to Help Pets in Need This Howl-o-ween
This Halloween will be anything but scary for Valley pets; that’s because Easley’s Fun Shop has designated Friends of Animal Care & Control and Maricopa County Animal Care & Control to be one of their charities for the upcoming holiday. Easley’s will donate 10% from every sale/costume rental to anyone who mentions Friends of Animal Care & Control (FACCs) or Maricopa County Animal Care & Control. The promotion runs through Oct. 31. Easley’s Fun Shop is located at 509 West McDowell, just east of 7th Avenue in downtown Phoenix.

Money raised through the Easley’s promotion will fund Maricopa County Animal Care & Control’s Spay/Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP). Through SNAP, Valley residents in need of financial assistance can have their companion animals spayed or neutered at no cost.

Melissa K. Gable is the Executive Director of Friends of Animal Care and Control.

www.azfaccs.org