How to make it a ‘dog safe’ Halloween

Halloween can be a stressful time for dogs.

It’s a busy time at most households with excited trick-or-treaters ringing doorbells, knocking on doors and gathering around doorways.

And then there is the anxiety caused by fireworks or other loud noises.

To help ease the stress, the Regional District of Central Okanagan’s dog control program suggests owners consider the following tips:

• Keep your dog away from open doors – help prevent an accidental escape and injury if your pet is frightened and bolts for the street
• If your dog does get away, contact Dog Control 250-469-6284 to help facilitate its return. In the Regional District of North Okanagan, dog control can be reached at 250-541-3647 (DOGS), or email dogbylaw@rdno.ca
• Ensure your dog licence is attached to their collar or harness – that will help reunite you and your pet if it gets away. A licence provides a one-time free ticket home from the Regional Dog Pound.
• Leash your dog – if you take your pet with you on neighbourhood Halloween rounds it provides control, helping to keep others safe

The BC SPCA suggests dog owners may choose to lessen any outside stresses by keeping their pet in a quiet room with toys. It offers several other helpful suggestions.

Please keep candy, chocolate and wrappers out of the range of your pet as they could be toxic. The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association has excellent resources available for a wide range of dog behaviours and conditions.

To protect against preventable fires, serious burns or injuries, residents of the Central Okanagan are reminded that fireworks are not allowed to be sold or set off, unless authorized by local fire departments. Penalties vary depending on the local jurisdiction.