Keep pets safely inside away from trick-or-treaters and other Halloween activities. Most cats and dogs are not prepared to see tricksters at the door.

• Make certain that all pets are wearing collars with ID tags and are micro-chipped with up to date information. Frequently opened doors provide perfect opportunities for escape, despite an owner’s best efforts. This too is a good plan year around but highly important on Halloween. All but the most social dogs and cats should be kept in a separate room away from the front door during peak trick-or-treating hours. Too many strangers can be scary and stressful for pets.
• Don’t leave pets out in the yard on Halloween. Surprisingly, vicious pranksters have been known to tease, injure, steal, and even kill pets on Halloween night. Inexcusable? Yes! But preventable nonetheless. Cats – black ones in particular – often fall victim to pranksters. Keep cats safely indoors. This is a good idea all year around but especially during Halloween.
• Keep candy out of your pet’s reach. Candy can be harmful to pets and chocolate is toxic to dogs, cats, and ferrets. Often the wrappers themselves are very inviting and dangerous to our pets. Cats and kittens can’t resist the shiny crackle wrappers. Candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can also cause problems. If you do suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
• Popular Halloween plants such as pumpkins and decorative corn are considered to be relatively nontoxic, but they can produce stomach upset in pets who nibble on them.
• Decorations should be kept away from pets. Candle flames can potentially set fire to a pet’s fur or they may knock them down endangering the entire family. Dangling decorations should be kept in high places to avoid pet entanglement, choking and other potentially life-threatening hazards. Wires and cords from electric lights and other decorations should be kept out of reach of your pets. If chewed, your pet might suffer cuts or burns, or receive a possibly life-threatening electrical shock.
• Keep glow sticks and glow jewelry away from your pets. Although the liquid in these products isn’t likely toxic, it tastes really bad and makes pets salivate excessively and act strangely.
• If trick-or-treating is the name of your game – know your dog well or leave the family dog at home. Dogs can be difficult to control amidst all the commotion. A lost pet or dog bite will quickly end your Halloween fun.
• Please don’t put your dog or cat in a costume UNLESS you know he or she loves it. For some pets, wearing a costume may cause undue stress. If you do dress up your pet, make sure the costume isn’t annoying or unsafe. It should not constrict the animal’s movement or hearing, or impede his ability to breathe, bark or meow. Also, be sure to try on costumes before the big night. If your pet seems distressed, allergic or shows abnormal behavior, consider letting him go au naturale or donning a festive bandana.
• Use fake cobwebs sparingly outdoors on your trees and bushes. These may adversely affect both pets and wildlife. Small birds are especially vulnerable and can easily become entangled in the webbing.

Spay Neuter Network is honored to be partners with SPCA of Texas and Dallas Animal Services and Adoption Center in winning the D-Magazine Corporate Citizenship Award for Collaboration of the Year!

In 2016, the Dallas Coalition of Spay Neuter Providers banded together to serve Southern-Dallas residents disproportionately affected by unaltered loose dogs. That year, an estimated 8,700 dogs daily roamed loose in the identified target area encompassing 23 ZIP codes, creating public safety concerns for area residents. From 2016 to 2022, the Spay Neuter Surge Project provided free spay and neuter services for 68,000 owned dogs–including vaccinations, microchips, and lifelong veterinary care–and successfully enhanced public safety within the targeted area. More than 80 percent of all households were contacted through a comprehensive community outreach campaign. We are grateful to all who supported and collaborated in this initiative, including all who were a part of the incredible Funders Coalition and Dallas Animal Services. Thank you, D CEO and the Communities Foundation of Texas, for this tremendous honor!

Photo Copyright Bret Redman – D CEO‘s 2023 Nonprofit & Corporate Citizenship Awards

Pet Care and Safety Around Dogs and Cats

How to Take Care of Your Dogs and Cats

If you have pets, they are counting on you to take good care of them. Taking care of a pet can be fun. Here are some things your dog and cat need to be happy and healthy in your home.

• Provide fresh food and fresh water every day.
• Make sure your pet has an ID tag with his or her name and your phone number on it as well as a microchip, so if your dog or cat gets lost, they can be returned to your family.
• Make time for playtime. Some dogs like to play fetch, some cats like to play with catnip toys. Make sure you have toys that are safe and fun for your pet.
• Exercise your pet. You may take your dog for a walk around the neighborhood or shine a light on the wall for your cat to chase.
• Train your dog to know his/her name and “come” when called. Train your dog to “sit” and “stay.” You can train your cat too. Training makes them smarter.
• Provide shelter for your pet. Pets are happiest when living in the house with their families. If they are outside all the time, they need protection from the weather, like a covered patio for protection from the sun and rain, and a warm garage or doghouse for safety in cold weather.
• Give your pet soft places to sleep. It can be a fancy pet bed or even just a folded up blanket. You don’t have to buy
  expensive things to make your dog happy.
• Take your pet to a clinic to get them spayed/neutered and vaccinated. Make sure your pet gets healthy annual check ups with a veterinarian so he or she can stay healthy.
• Give them love and affection. Your pets love it when you talk to them and tell them that you love them.
• Whether you have dogs, cats, chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs, turtles, snakes or fish, they are counting on you and your family to take good care of them. Read all you can about how to take care of your pets.

How to Behave Around Your Pets

When you’re around your pets, it’s important not to scare them or make them afraid. Animals react differently than people. While you might like to run around and make a lot of noise when you play, most dogs and cats and other pets get scared when you act this way around them. They might run away or even bite you if they feel trapped and don’t know how to make you stop. Here’s how to be respectful around pets.

• When you’re around your pets, it’s important not to scare them or make them afraid. Animals react differently than people. While you might like to run around and make a lot of noise when you play, most dogs and cats and other pets get scared when you act this way around them. They might run away or even bite you if they feel trapped and don’t know how to make you stop. Here’s how to be respectful around pets.
• Stay quiet around dogs and cats. Don’t holler and scream when they are around.
• Don’t chase dogs or cats.
• Never take a toy, food or treat from a dog. Some dogs don’t like their things taken away and could snap at you for taking their stuff. Always call your dog to you and offer them a treat, then go over and pick up the toy. Better yet, ask your parents or other caregivers to do that for you.
• Never touch your pet while he or she is eating. They might think you are trying to take his or her food.
• Never cover your pets eyes or ears. They get scared when they can’t see or hear.

How to Behave Around a Dog on a Leash

You may want to pet every dog you see, but it’s important to be respectful around dogs and have good manners when meeting a dog for the first time. Here’s what to do if you meet a dog on a leash with their owner.

• You may want to pet every dog you see, but it’s important to be respectful around dogs and have good manners when meeting a dog for the first time. Here’s what to do if you meet a dog on a leash with their owner.
• Never approach a dog or a stranger you don’t know. Always ask your parent or other caregiver for permission to approach the dog.
• Never run towards the dog. It could scare them.
• When you get close to the dog, stop so you are standing a few feet away from the dog.Ask the dog’s owner, “May I pet your dog?” and then stand still and wait for their response.
•  If the dog’s owner says “no,” thank them and walk away. (The dog could be unfriendly or sick and they may not feel like being petted that day.)
• If the owner says “yes,” wait for the owner to instruct you. The owner may want the dog to sit before you pet him or her.
• Before approaching the dog, hold out an outstretched fist. You will still be a few feet away, but the dog can smell you and see you mean no harm. When the owner gives you permission to approach, walk slowly to the side of the dog and pet the dog on the side of the neck and shoulder. Do not lean over the dog’s head or pet the dog on the top of the head.
• When you are done petting the dog, say “thank you” to the dog’s owner, and slowly walk away. Do not run.

Be Like a Tree

What do you do if a strange dog runs towards you or jumps on you? Be like a tree. Trees don’t move or make noise, so be very still and quiet like a tree. Dogs may sniff you, but if you are standing like a tree, they will lose interest and walk away.

• Stop and stand like a tree. Don’t make a sound. A dog will lose interest and go away if you stay very still and quiet.
• Tilt your head down and keep your eyes open so you can see what the dog is doing. Do not look at the dog directly in the eyes. Some dogs see direct eye contact as a threat and may growl.
• Lock your fingers together in front of you. If a dog tries to jump on you, make a fist and cross your arms across your chest.
• Wait for the dog to walk away. Then walk backward slowly for several steps. Keep an eye on the dog. If the dog continues to walk away from you, then you can turn slowly and walk slowly away. Do not run or make sudden moves.
• If the dog walks up to you again, stand like a tree, and repeat the steps above until you are safely home, at your friend’s house or at school.
• After you’re a few feet away and know the dog is not going to bother you anymore, turn around slowly and walk away slowly. Do not run away or the dog will chase you.
• Tell an adult you know about the dog.

Be a Rock

What do you do if a dog knocks you down? Be like a rock.

• Drop to the ground.
• Sit on your legs, bend over towards the ground, and tuck your head into your chest.
• Cup your hands over your ears and keep your face to the ground.
• The dog may sniff you, but will walk away if you don’t move. Be like a rock until the dog is gone.
• When the dog is gone, get up and walk slowly away. Do not run.
• Tell an adult you know about the dog.