NSPCA urges Louth pet owners to keep animals calm and safe this Halloween

The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) has today revealed how Louth households can best keep their animals safe and sound during this spooky season. Halloween can be a very anxious time for most pets with loud noises from fireworks and bangers exasperating animals who are not equipped to deal with such frightening sounds.

Household pets, especially dogs and cats, can be particularly skittish during this period and the NSPCA are sharing how best pet owners can mitigate or reduce this anxiety over the Halloween period.

Do’s

• Keep your animal indoors and preferably in a quiet room where it’s not as noisy.
• Keep the radio or television on to help drown out the noise of the fireworks and keep your animal calm.
• Bring your pet to the vet if you suspect they may have ingested something bad for them.
• Keep your pet well away from Halloween distressing decorations when out for a walk.
• Make sure your animals have identification and are ideally microchipped in the event they get spooked and go missing.
• If you have young kids, educate them on how Halloween can affect your pet.

Don’ts

• Avoid dressing your pets up for Halloween – although tempting, it can be hugely distressing for animals.
• Don’t bring your pet out trick or treating with your kids; the commotion of Halloween may frighten the animal and overwhelm them.
• Don’t let your pet anywhere near a bonfire or anything else flammable.
• If building a bonfire, don’t remove wooden pallets or large pieces of wood from hedges and gaps in fences. This is often put in the gaps to stop horses escaping onto roads.
• If the wood has been set aside for a period of time, don’t forget to check it thoroughly before lighting as small animals may have burrowed inside for shelter.

The NSPCA are once again advising that people report animal abuse or neglect if they see it over the Halloween period. They should call the Gardaí immediately or call the NSPCA directly on 0818 515 515.

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Pat Watt, CEO of the NSPCA said: “Halloween can be a great celebration for kids and adults alike, but the effect it can have on our pets can be stressful and upsetting. Loud noises from fireworks and decorations that appear in the lead up to Halloween can often shock them.

"The onus is on the owner to have a duty of care for our pets and look after them the best we can. Our tips will serve as a guide to keep pets as comfortable as possible and put them at ease during the spooky season.”