Press Releases

Halloween is Not a Trick or Treat for Pets

Toronto (October 24, 2005) - Halloween is a time for mystery and make-believe. On October 31 many of us will open our homes to the fun and festivities of All Hallows Eve. Unlike their human guardians; pets do not revel in the celebration. Costumes, decorations, loud noises and frequent visitors to the front door put pets at risk and can cause extreme anxiety. The Toronto Humane Society encourages pet parents to follow these safety tips:

• All pets should wear proper identification. ID tags and microchips are essential. The identification information must be current. Cats should wear a collar and ID tag marked Indoor Cat so, in the event of an accident, neighbours will see your cat is an indoor cat only and will take him to a safe place. If your animal does not wear proper identification and escapes, the chance of finding him decreases dramatically.

• Do not bring your animals out during Halloween. You increase the chance of your pet becoming frightened, lost, or injured. Walk dogs during the day so they get adequate exercise and will be calm by night. Make sure your dog is inside when the sun begins to set and people prepare to set off for tricks and treats. Cats should always be indoors but, take care to put them in a room where people are not coming in and out. Sadly, pets are often victims of cruel pranksters, especially on Halloween. Black, orange, tortoiseshell and calico cats are particularly vulnerable during Halloween.

• Control the environment. Provide your pet with a safe place. Pets should not be in the room when trick-or-treaters come to the door; seeing Batman or Zorro in his home will cause your pet anxiety and he could easily bolt out the door.

• Prepare a safe place. Prepare your pet’s safe place ahead of time and introduce him to the area. Cats may like their beds put in the closet, dogs may like their toys or blankets placed under a bed. If you have a crate, your dog may find it more comforting. NEVER put a chain on your dog as they may accidentally strangle themselves in a panicked state.

• Play quiet music. To mask the noise of trick or treaters, soft jazz or classical music can be soothing, particularly for dogs. For smaller pets such as rabbits or ferrets, cover their cage with fabric to muffle sound and make sure to leave one side open for ventilation. 

• Danger! Tricks and treats like candy, candles, pumpkins, make-up and fragments of Halloween costumes can be lethal if ingested.

• No Surprises . Do not shock your pet with your own costume. Familiar people become scary when wearing costumes and masks. If you must wear a costume, introduce your pet to the costume prior to putting it on; display the costume so your pet can see it, and then give your pet a tasty treat so a positive association is established.

The Society will be open for adoption. However, people adopting black, tortoiseshell, orange or calico cats will be required to collect their new pet on November 1. This measure is necessary to ensure the safety of cats that are particularly vulnerable to pranksters.

Adoption Hours:

Monday thru Friday – 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For more information, contact:
Communications Department

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