Celebrating Halloween has grown in popularity in Australia over the past few years. Children dressed as ghosts, devils and witches are now common sight in our streets on October 31st.

Trick-or-treating however can pose many dangers for our pets. To help owners keep their dogs and cats healthy and safe this Halloween The Lost Dogs’ Home would like to share the following tips;

• Keep chocolate and lollies for trick-or-treaters well out of reach of your pet. Chocolate in particular is toxic to dogs.
• If children wish to give pets a special Halloween treat make sure it’s a pet friendly snack.
• Consider securing your pet in a safe room or backyard away from your front door. Many pets can become unsettled and frightened by costumed, noisy trick-or-treaters arriving regularly at your house.
• Securing your pet away from activity will also ensure they don’t escape and become lost.
• Make sure your pets are kept safely away from Halloween decorations.
• Be considerate to your pet, if they are not comfortable wearing a Halloween costume then don’t dress them up. For those dogs that are tolerant make sure the costume is comfortable and doesn’t affect their ability to move, see, breath etc.
• If you decide to take your dog trick-or-treating make sure an adult is always present and responsible for ensuring the dog is always secure on a lead and comfortable taking part.
• Always make sure your pet is microchipped and wearing an identification tag. Also make sure your contact information is up to date.

Halloween is a fun time for the family but we have a responsibility to keep our pets safe and happy during this time.

This Halloween weekend The Lost Dogs’ Home will take part in Best Friends Pet SuperCentre’s special HOWLoWeen celebrations at their Maribyrnong store. All Best Friend stores are celebrating HOWLoWeen both Saturday and Sunday with lots of fun and safe activities for you and your pet. For more information visit the Best Friends Pet SuperCentre website.

Come and visit The Lost Dogs’ Home stand at Best Friends Maribyrnong and get a free National Pet Register tag for your pets and talk to us about the reward of adopting a shelter dog or cat. We would love to see you.

Happy Halloween!