Our pets are part of our family.

While Halloween can be a great time to celebrate with friends, it can also be a scary time for cats and dogs as fireworks are constantly banging, the doorbell is nonstop ringing and there's just general rowdiness in all areas of the country. The keep your pet as safe as can be, the DSPCA has compiled a list of Dos and Don'ts:

DO

1. Keep animals inside a bedroom or family room, away from all the commotion for everyone’s safety. 
2. Talk to your vet if your pet gets very scared from fireworks as there is a variety of treatments and medications that can help.
3. Ensure that pets always have effective identification. The DSPCA recommends that you have your pet microchipped and ensure that it is wearing a collar with identification in the event that it escapes from the house.
4. Make sure that rabbits and other caged animals are safely secured in a garage or outbuilding, away from the sight and sound of fireworks.
5. Keep pets away from Halloween decorations and tell children not to share any sweets and chocolate with their pets.

DON'T

1. Keep pets outdoors during Halloween and the weeks running up to it as people start letting off fireworks earlier than Halloween night and ensure that they have a safe, quiet place inside where they aren’t frightened by all of the noise and excitement.
2. Leave animals in a room with lit candles or pumpkins. Dogs can have lethal tails, wagging all over the place.
3. Dress animals up in costumes as many pets find this uncomfortable and stressful.
4. Take pets trick-or-treating. Dogs can become very distressed and confused by all the noise and activity with strange smells, costumes and loud bangs from fireworks.
5. Let animals near bonfires, candles or other dangerous items.
6. Ignore animals in need. Report animal abuse and neglect immediately to An Gardaí Siochana or contact the DSPCA at 01-499 4700.

For more information on all the points covered here, visit this website.