Halloween can be a frightening time for family dogs. Each Halloween, veterinarians nationwide see pet injuries that could have been avoided. Here are some ways we can protect pets:

1. Walk your dog before trick-or-treaters start their visits. Keep a firm grip on the leash; many dogs are frightened by people in costumes.

2. Find a secure place in your home to keep your dogs, especially if you're giving out candy to trick-or-treaters. Many dogs get loose when the door opens, and the presence of little (and big) costumed people often scares animals, increasing the chance dogs will run away or get hit by cars.

3. Make sure your dog is wearing an up-to-date I.D. tag.

4. Place a dog gate in front of your front door to block access in case someone accidentally lets your pet out of the place where he's confined. Many dogs will run after trick-or-treaters.

5. If your dog has any aggressive tendencies, fear of loud noises, or a habit of excessive barking, place him in a quiet room as far away from your front door as possible at least a half-hour before trick-or-treaters arrive.

6. Consider crating your pet, which can make him feel more secure and reduce chances of accidental escapes. Provide chew toys, a favorite blanket, a piece of clothing with your scent on it, or whatever comforts the animal. Play soft music or a recording of soothing sounds.

7. If you want to have your dog near the door to greet visitors, keep him on leash. Pets can become very stressed by holiday activities and unwelcome interruptions in routine. A nervous dog might feel threatened and growl, lunge or bite.

8. Keep dogs indoors. It's a bad idea to leave dogs out in the yard; in addition to the parade of holiday celebrants frightening and agitating them, there have been reports of taunting, poisonings and pet thefts. Plus they're likely to bark and howl at the constant flow of treat or treaters.

9. As for cats, as the ASPCA and other organizations advise, keep cats indoors at all times.

10. Do not leave dogs in cars.

11. Keep dogs out of the candy bowl. Dispose of candy wrappers before your pets get to them, since the wrappers can cause choking or intestinal obstruction. Make sure the dogs can't get into the trash. Note: Chocolate contains theobromine, which can cause nerve damage and even death in dogs. The darker the chocolate, the more concentrated it is -- and the smaller the lethal dose.

12. Explain to everyone in your home (including kids) how dangerous treats are to pets. Take young childrenUs candy supply and put it somewhere out of reach of pets. Caution children about leaving candy wrappers on the floor.

13. Make sure pets can't reach candles, jack-o-lanterns, decorations or ornaments.

14. Halloween costumes can annoy animals and pose safety and health hazards...so think twice before dressing up the dog. Make sure the dog can breathe, see and hear, and that the costume is flame retardant. Remove any small or dangling accessories that could be chewed and swallowed. Avoid rubber bands, which can cut off the animal's circulation or, if accidentally left on, can burrow and cut into the animal's skin.

15. If the animal is very high-strung, consult your vet about tranquilizing for the night.

16. When walking dogs during or after Halloween, watch carefully for what they might pick up and choke on. Bits of candy and wrappers abound on sidewalks and streets after holidays.

17. * If you notice these symptoms of chocolate poisoning, go to your vet or an emergency vet right away because your pet's life may be in danger:

• Excessive drooling

• Excessive urination

• Pupil dilation

• Rapid heartbeat

• Vomiting and diarrhea

• Hyperactivity

• Muscle tremors and seizures

• Coma

*Click here if your dog has eaten some chocolate

*First Aid Kit and Guidance:  Keep a pet First Aid Kit in your home and car. Take the one you keep in your car with you on trips with your pet. This webpage lists items to include:

CPR and Mouth-to-Snout Resuscitation: Print these life-saving brochures to have on hand!
http://members.aol.com/henryhbk/acpr.html
http://www.rescuecritters.com/cpr.html

Please remember your pets count on you for their safety in emergency situations.  They cannot fend for themselves.  Treat them as you would any other member of your family.  Here are a few valuable tips from ASPCA.

Emergency Pet Preparedness

Hurricanes, wildfires, flood...if disaster strikes, are you prepared to protect your pets?  A few simple steps can help ensure you won't be caught off guard.

  Display a Rescue Alert Sticker - A personalized sticker on your front door alerts rescue worker to the type and number of pets indoors. For a free sticker, visit the ASPCA website at www.aspca.org/emergency.

  Arrange a Safe Haven - Should you need to evacuate, have a list of reputable boarding kennels, shelters or local hotels that accept pets or arrange ahead to bring your pets to a friend's home. Red Cross disaster shelters will not accept pets.

   Prepare an Emergency Travel Kit - Store an emergency kit and leashed near your home's exit. Include a pet first-aid kit; a two week supply of pet food, water,  pet medications, food dished, disposable litter trays and photos of your pets (in case your pet is lost and you need to make posters). A flashlight, blanket (handy for scooping up fearful pets) and a carrier or traveling case are also helpful.

   Choose a Designated Caregiver - Give a set of house keys ahead of time to a trusted friend or neighbor in case you're unable to return home to your pets. Arrange for a temporary or long-term foster home in case you cannot care for your pets.

   Prepare Your Pets - Collars and tags with up-to-date contact information are essential for all pets. Bring pets indoors at the first sign or warning of a storm or disaster. Should your animal become lost, know where your local shelters and rescue organizations are located and start looking for a missing pet as soon as possible.

   Prepare Your Home:

• For high winds: Utility rooms, bathrooms and basements offer safe havens clear of such hazards as windows or flying debris.

• For loss of electricity: Fill up bathtubs and sinks with fresh water ahead of time.

• For flooding: Select the highest room in you home that has a counter or shelves where your pet can take shelter.

For more information, to make donations or to report animal cruelty visit the ASPCA Web site at www.aspca.org

Keep Your Pets Safe During Winter

• Keep your cat inside. Outdoors, cats can freeze, become lost or be stolen, injured or killed

• During the winter, outdoor cats sometimes sleep under the hoods of cars. When the
  motor is started, the cat can be injured or killed by the fan belt. Before starting the engine, bang loudly on the car hood to give the cat a chance to escape.

• Never let your dog off the leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm--dogs can lose their scent and easily become lost. More dogs are lost during the winter than during any other season, so make sure they always wear I.D. tags.

• Thoroughly wipe off your dog's legs and stomach when he comes in out of the sleet, snow or ice. He can ingest salt, antifreeze or other chemicals while licking his paws, and his paw pads may also bleed from snow or encrusted ice.

• Own a short-haired breed? Consider getting him a coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck that covers the dog from the base of the tail on top to the belly underneath. While this may seem like a luxury, it is a necessity for many dogs.

• Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather. A car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold. The animal can freeze to death. If your dog is sensitive to the cold due to age, illness or breed type, take him outdoors only to relieve himself.

• Puppies do not tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs and may be difficult to housebreak during the winter. If necessary, paper train your puppy inside if he appears to be sensitive to the weather.

• If your dog spends a lot of time engaged in outdoor activities, increase his supply of food, particularly protein, to keep his fur thick and healthy.

• Antifreeze, even in very tiny doses is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Unfortunately, because of its sweet taste, animals are attracted to it. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle. To prevent accidental poisoning; more and more people are using animal friendly products that contain propylene glycol rather than traditional products containing ethylene glycol. Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (1-888-4ANI-HELP) if you suspect your animal has been poisoned

• During the winter time dogs and cats need just as much water as during the summertime.  Make sure water bowls are not frozen over and never assume they can get their water needs met by eating snow.