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NO SCAREDY CATS THIS HALLOWEEN: SAFETY TIPS FOR PET OWNERS

Attention, companion animal caretakers--The ASPCA offers these common-sense cautions to keep your pets safe and sound during this time of the year:

* 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, take care that Fifi or
Fido doesn't dart outside. Make sure they're 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, and tin foil and
cellophane candy wrappers can be hazardous if swallowed.

* It's not a bright idea to keep lit pumpkins around companion
animals. Pets can knock them over, and curious kittens especially run
the risk of being burned.

* Don't leave your pet in the yard on Halloween. There have been
stories of vicious pranksters who have teased, injured, stolen and
even killed pets on this night.

* Although the ASPCA recommends that cats remain indoors at all
times, it is especially important to keep your feline 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 dog or cat unless you know he or she loves it.
If you decide to do so, make sure the costume isn't annoying or
unsafe, and doesn't restrict her movement, vision, hearing or ability
to breathe or bark. Avoid costumes with small or dangling accessories
that she could chew off and possibly choke on.

Posted on SHARE Yahoo group Oct�21,�2002�