I wrote this as a letter to the editor for our local paper. Hope it is helpful. Jenn
How to protect your black cat (and other pets) during the Halloween season
It's that time of year again. The time of year that is not so happy for our friend, the black cat. Many cruel people harm and even kill black cats around Halloween; sometimes just in the name of "fun".
What can you do to protect your black cat?
1) Keep them inside. I cannot stress that enough. Maybe you haven't heard the stories, but I have. Cats disappearing before Halloween or on Halloween. It isn't just black cats, but they are the biggest concern. When I was a teen, our neighbor's grey tabby cat disappeared on the night of Halloween. Can you imagine the sadness they felt? They just hoped that someone took the cat to be their own and that it was alive and well, but there is no guarantee during this time of year that a missing cat is safe. Don't just keep your cat in on that night, but from here on out. This is the most important thing you can do to protect your cat, black or not, from harm.
2) Do not adopt out or give away black cats or kittens in the month of October. Rescues and shelters wait until November 1st to reinstate their black cats on their adoption list. This is a real concern for the black cat. No matter what time of year it is, you should never just give away a cat or kitten without asking for an adoption fee, screening the home and ensuring that it gets spayed or neutered if needed. The month of October requires an extra step for black cats by keeping them in and waiting until November to find them a home if you can't keep the cat/kittens.
3) The third thing you can do is pass this information on to other people you know. By doing this, you'll ensure that other cats are safe as well.
4) A side note for dogs, sometimes the excitement of the night that humans enjoy is not enjoyed by their pets. It can be stressful to all pets to have people they don't know dressed up coming to their door, constant ringing of the doorbell, or even left home alone to bark at the voices that they hear outside their home. Make sure your animals are in a quiet room and that someone is home for them while everyone else is out trick or treating (it is not a good idea to take them with you because the costumes can be scary for them). Also make sure your kids no that candy is not to be shared with the dog, especially chocolate which can be deadly to dogs in high quantities.
5) One more overlooked area around Halloween is the decorations. The number one danger being the fake web. Animals may eat the fake web which can get tangled up in their intestines and usually leads to death. It is best to just not use fake web products when you have animals. If one of your pets is acting strange, immediately check the fake web to make sure no one has been nibbling on it. If you think that may be the case, take your pet to the vet right away.
5) Check out the following site for more info on safety for animals during the Halloween season.
http://www.furr-angels.com/protect_y..._halloween.htm
x-post: Please read: How to protect your black cat
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