Press Releases

Avoid tricks and don’t treat!

Toronto, ON, (October 30, 2006) – For people, Halloween connotes traditions of costumes, candy, pumpkins and scary stories. Halloween has a decidedly different meaning to pets who often become stressed, frightened, injured, and sometimes lost during the festivities. Guardians can help keep pets safe this Halloween by taking these cautionary measures:

Keep pets indoors – especially cats. “Cats should always be kept safely indoors. The health and safety benefits to keeping cats indoors cannot be emphasized enough, there are many associated risks,” says Courtney Barnfield, Communications Officer for The Toronto Humane Society. Dogs are scared of costumes, loud noises and the constant barrage of strangers coming to the front door - walk dogs during the day so they are exercised and calm by Halloween night. Make sure dogs are indoors when the sun sets and the trick or treating begins.

Ensure pets are wearing collars with ID tags. ID tags and microchips are essential. Be certain the information on the ID tag is current – correct phone number and contact name. Cats should wear a collar and ID tag marked Indoor Cat, so, in the event of an accident, neighbours will recognize your cat is indoors only and make the effort to bring him to safety. If your animal does not wear proper identification and escapes due to the stress of Halloween the chances of finding him decrease dramatically.

Give pets a safe place. When expecting costumed youngsters, secure pets in a quiet, well-ventilated room and close the curtains. This way, they can’t escape through the constant open and close of the front door. Play low music to mask Halloween noises – soft jazz or classical is soothing to animals, particularly dogs. For smaller pets such as rabbits or ferrets, cover their cage with fabric to muffle sound but leave one side open for ventilation.

Be vigilant about candy and decorations. Restrict your pet’s access to your supply of Halloween candy (often kept by the front door). Chocolate, sugar, caffeine, wrappers and Halloween props (like candles) are extremely dangerous. “Halloween festivities change the dynamic of the home and upset your pet’s routine. Even if you have a pet who you typically trust to avoid ‘people food’, don’t leave any room for error on Halloween,” says Barnfield. If you think your pet has ingested candy or a foreign object get him to a veterinarian immediately.

Restrictive pet costumes can cause unnecessary stress. If your pet is not happy being dressed up, respect his boundaries and remove the costume. Some pet costume designs fail to address an animal’s need to pant, drink, and stretch. Also, pieces of costumes can be ingested by irritated pet models.

Black Cats

The Toronto Humane Society will continue to restrict black cat adoptions until after October 31. As Halloween approaches, black cats often fall victim to mischief makers and cruel pranksters. Another concern is that black cats will be sought to ‘accessorize’ Halloween-themed parties, being discarded soon after. Potential adopters are asked to complete a standard adoption application, take part in the interview process, and if the interview is successful, pick up their new pet on November 1.

The Toronto Humane Society is a not-for-profit organization solely funded through charitable donations. Its mission is to promote the humane care and protection of all animals and to prevent cruelty and suffering.

For more information, contact:
Communications Department

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