dog memorials

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.
When opening the door for trick-or-treaters, be sure your cat or dog doesn’t dart out. Make sure all your pets are wearing current identification, just in case.
No tricks or treats. Keep all Halloween candy out of your pet’s reach. Chocolate can be poisonous to animals—even in small quantities—and tinfoil and cellophane candy wrappers can be hazardous or fatal if swallowed.
Do not keep lit pumpkins around companion animals. Pets can knock them over, and curious cats run the risk of being burned.
Do not leave your pet in the yard on Halloween. Occasionally, there have been reports of vicious pranksters who have teased, injured, stolen and even killed pets on this night.
It is especially important to keep your cat inside for several days before and after Halloween. Black cats in particular may be at risk from children’s pranks or other cruelty-related incidents. As a safety precaution, many shelters will not adopt out black cats around Halloween.
Don’t dress up your dogs or cats unless you know they love it. If you decide to do so, make sure the costume isn’t annoying or unsafe, and doesn’t restrict the animal’s movement, vision, hearing or ability to breathe or bark. Avoid costumes with small or dangling accessories that could be chewed off and possibly cause choking. Make sure an adult supervises pets in costume at all times.

If you have lost your pet, don't waste time and begin your search as soon as possible. Below are some tips on what you can do to have your 4-legged friend back home with you very soon:

*Immediately look around your neighborhood for your lost pet. Do not rely on the fact that your pet will find its way back home. Ask neighbors to keep an eye out for your pet.

*Call your local Humane Society, Animal Control or Rescue group to report your missing animal. Visit the facilities, daily, and do a walk-thru.

*Call local Vet Clinics and Animal Emergency Clinic(s) and give the information as well.

*Put up flyers, with a picture if available, describing your missing cat or dog in local Vet Clinics, Pet Stores or Grocery Stores (if allowed). Make sure on the flyer, it lists a telephone number that you can be easily reached at and a complete description of your pet.

*Place an ad in your local newspaper under the lost & found section. Check the newspaper daily to see if someone places a "found" ad as well. Offer a reward if possible.

*Try leaving out a dish with fresh food in it at the place where your pet was first lost at. If it is a cat, try leaving out his/her litter box (do not clean it first).

*Make sure your pet has Identification tags on his collar with your name and phone number of them.

*If your pet is not microchipped, check with your Vet or with a local Vet as many offer this service for a minimal fee. A microchip is a permanent identification chip administered underneath the skin usually in the mid-shoulder area.

*Always make sure your cat is secure in the home and your dog is secure when outside your home, in your yard.

*PLEASE spay and neuter your pets. Animals that are "intact" are more likely to want to get out and roam the neighborhood.