As Halloween nears, many Surrey, Delta and White Rock residents celebrate with costumes, candy and fireworks, or even scaring themselves watching horror movies or series.
It's frightening on a whole other level for animals, however. And not because of any ghosts or goblins.
Exploding fireworks can be terrifying for pets, farmed animals and wildlife, a recent BC SPCA release noted.
Research has suggested, for instance, that nearly half of dogs are fearful of loud noises such as fireworks, thunderstorms and gunshots, while almost 80 per cent of horses show anxious behaviour during fireworks displays.
“I don’t think people realize the trauma surrounding fireworks for animals,” said Aleigh Ateyo, night emergency officer at the BC SPCA in Vancouver. “On nights when there are fireworks, the call load is always worse. The animals are frantic and once an animal is frightened and running, they are almost impossible to catch.”
Ateyo works for the BC SPCA’s Night Emergency Patrol (NEP), a program designed by the organization to facilitate assistance to animals after hours. She estimates that she receives about 30 to 50 calls on Halloween night, most of which are related to the effects of fireworks.
“On Halloween, people are on high alert and very emotional when they call in. Calls come in rapidly,” she says. “Most of the calls involve a high number of animals who are hit by cars.”
Ateyo says she receives a lot of calls from people who are out on a walk with their dogs on Halloween night, only to have them bolt due to the sound of fireworks.
Other calls that Ateyo receives on Halloween include lost dogs and cats who ran off or broke through a fence or window because they were spooked by fireworks. She also hears about wild animals behaving in unusual ways, including instances where raccoons, skunks and birds were trying to get inside a house or underneath a deck to hide from fireworks.
“Stay with your pets on Halloween,” says Ateyo. “Support them, comfort them. They are scared.”
Tips to help keep your pet safe during fireworks season include:
• Keep pets inside: Dogs and cats may try to run away if they feel threatened.
• Ensure your pet has at least two forms of identification in case they go missing. Pets should have a collar with tags and an ear tattoo or a microchip
• Be mindful when you’re opening your door to hand out candy. Pets can easily slip past their guardian to escape through an open door.
• If you must take your dog outside, make sure they’re appropriately leashed or, better yet, harnessed. Hold tight to the leash, even in your backyard.
• Candy is for people, not pets, and chocolate is especially dangerous because it contains theobromine, which is toxic to dogs and cats.
• Unless your pet is used to being dressed up, a pet costume is not advised, as it can inhibit his ability to communicate.
Visit spca.bc.ca for more tips, or for pet-safe treat recipes for Halloween.
