NCSPCA: Halloween Tips for You and Your Pets

LongIsland.com

Halloween is just around the corner, and keeping your pets safe, happy and healthy should be on your list of to-do items.

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Make Halloween a fun experience for the entire family following Halloween tips for you and your pets.

Photo by: NCSPCA.

Nassau County, NY - Octoberr 28, 2016 - Halloween is just around the corner, and keeping your pets safe, happy and healthy should be on your list of to-do items. Here are some things you can do to make Halloween a fun experience for the entire family:

  • Pet costumes are very popular this year. Don't dress up your dog or cat unless you know he or she loves it. If you decide to do so, make sure the costume isn't annoying or unsafe, and doesn't restrict her movement, vision, hearing or ability to breathe or bark. Avoid costumes with small or dangling accessories that she could chew off and possibly choke on. Make sure an adult supervises pets in costume at all times.
  • It is wise to keep your pets in a separate area of the house. All but the most social dogs and cats should be kept in a separate room during peak trick-or-treat visiting hours. Too many strangers in unusual garb can be scary and stressful for pets.
  • Many animals become agitated at all of the "goblins" roaming the streets. Make sure all your pets are wearing current identification and take care when opening the door for trick-or-treaters that your dog or cat doesn't dart outside.
  • It is IMPORTANT to keep all Halloween candy out of your pet's reach. Chocolate can be poisonous to animals, and tinfoil and cellophane candy wrappers can be hazardous if swallowed.
  • Jack-o-lanterns and other decorations are fun, but can be dangerous. Be sure to keep lit pumpkins away from your pets. Better yet, use a battery powered light instead of a candle as pets can knock them over, and curious kittens especially run the risk of being burned by fire.
  • Don't leave your pet in the yard on Halloween. Besides the scary noise and activity that can upset your pets, sometimes animals become targets of "tricks", especially black cats. Keep your pets inside and keep them safe.

Have a safe and happy Halloween!

To Report Animal Cruelty call 516-THE-SPCA, email or use the online form

About Nassau County SPCA
Located in Nassau County, New York, The Nassau County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is a 501(c) (3), nonprofit organization originally designed to protect animals in the county from abuse and neglect, and to provide basic welfare. We hold special authority to enforce NYS Agriculture & Markets Law, and all other state and local humane laws. We are the only animal protection agency officially designated to operate within the county's borders.

The NCSPCA is a volunteer organization dedicated to the rescue, care and placement of needy animals. The Society is run entirely by unpaid volunteers and its operations have been historically funded through contributions solicited from the public and through corporate grants.

The NCSPCA receives no public funding, is in no way affiliated with, a subdivision of or funded by any other local, state or national organization and every contribution, large or small, helps to provide the critical care needed to help homeless, abused and neglected animals in Nassau County. The continued success of each program relies entirely on donations. No money given to any other spca organization aids or benefits the NCSPCA. Your generous contribution will help the NCSPCA in all of its efforts. Visit www.nassaucountyspca.org