Humane Society Offers Tips toEnsure a Safe Halloween for Pets

Palm City, Fla. - Pets can be as afraid ofspooky sounds and creepy costumes as youngsters, but there are tips andguidelines that the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast is offering to helpkeep Fluffy feeling safe.

During trick-or-treat hours or Halloween parties at home, pets should be keptaway from the front door in a separate room with their favorite bed and toys. Thiswill prevent pets from being tempted to slip outside as the door is opened tohand out candy during the evening. Groups of small kids dressed in scarycostumes can frighten pets and cause them to escape. If they're on a leash in theyard, they may break their leash and a loose pet could end up in harm's wayand/or get lost from its owner. Additionally, a dog or cat may inadvertentlybite or scratch a child in reaction to an unfamiliar costume.

TheHSTC also recommends against taking a dog trick-or-treating to avoidconfronting other animals or biting strangers. Candy should not be shared withpets, particularly chocolate.

"Parentsshould take care to keep the bags of candy away from a pet's reach and to teachtheir children not to feed their pets candy," said HSTC President & CEOFrank Valente. "Candy can be toxic to animals and put an animal in distress orworse. If a parent suspects his pet has eaten chocolate or other candy heshould call his veterinarian immediately."

Alsobe aware of apet costume that uses rubber bands to hold it in place. A rubber band left on apet after the costume comes off can quickly burrow into the animal's skin andcause infection or the pet may swallow the band, which can result in intestinalproblems.

Since 1955, the HumaneSociety of the Treasure Coast, located at 4100 SW Leighton Farm Ave. in PalmCity, has been the leading advocate for animal welfare in the Martin Countyarea. A 501(c)3 private, nonprofit organization, the Humane Society relies ondonations to support its programs and services. As a local Humane Society, HSTCis independently run from any national welfare or humane organization with nofinancial assistance from these groups. For more information, visit www.hstc1.org or call 223-8822.

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