BOO On YOU and Your Pets TOO this Halloween!

A "Double Whammy" for your best friends

 

Rancho Santa Fe, CA - The combination of Halloween and the switch back to Standard time can create a "spooky" situation for kids and critters. Helen Woodward Animal Center warns families that cats, especially black cats, may become unwilling participants in the darker side of Halloween.  

"Animal shelters receive calls after each Halloween from people whose pets have been injured or just plain disappeared" says HWAC spokesman John Van Zante. "In most cases you can keep your pets safe on Halloween by using common sense. We warn people to keep their cats indoors. While people with good intentions may pick up a stray black cat, others might grab your black cat for less humane purposes."

Keep Halloween candy or chocolate out of paw's reach. And remember to keep pets away from burning candles such as those placed in jack-o-lanterns.  "In this case, curiosity really could kill the cat. Pets are not flame retardant and can become seriously burned. Cut the whole in the bottom of your  Jack-o-lantern so pets can't take off the cover and burn themselves."

Helen Woodward Animal Center continues to counsel families about Halloween pet safety. Families adopting black cats on Halloween day will be able to pick them up at the Center the next day.

Dogs can be frightened by costumes, causing them to run away or snap at trick-or-treaters. While cats are most at risk of "dashing", Helen Woodward Animal Center advises all pet owners to provide their animals with a quiet room where they can hide. Keeping your pets in an enclosed, isolated room can also prevent an "escape" when the front door is opened.

Also keep in mind that the time change can be confusing for your pets. People understand what's going on. Pets just know that their dinner is late. Be patient while they adjust.

For more information on responsible pet care or adopting an orphaned pet call 858-756-4117 option #1 or visit Helen Woodward Animal Center at 6461 El Apajo Road in Rancho Santa Fe. To see photos of pets available for adoption click here .