Halloween can be a stressful and dangerous night for pets. Make sure your dogs, cats, and horses are safe by updating microchips, leaving them at home, and securing escape routes. Follow these essential steps to protect your furry friends this October 31.
Halloween Safety for Pets: What You Must Do Before October 31
Halloween is coming, and your pets’ safety cannot be overlooked. From loud noises to strangers in costumes, many animals panic easily. The first thing every BC pet owner must do is confirm that microchips and ID tags are registered and up to date. Many of the events where we scan and check pets’ registration status show that one in five pets have a microchip but are not registered, making it extremely difficult to find their owners. Check out the statistics for our community events here. Log in to your BC Pet Registry account today to review and update your contact details—your pet’s safety depends on it.
Don’t let your pet be like Georgia, the cat with an unregistered microchip in Vancouver, BC. Full detail here.
Leave Pets at Home to Avoid Panic
The safest choice is to leave pets at home on Halloween night. Strange noises, doorbell rings, and trick-or-treaters in costumes can trigger frantic behavior. If you must bring your pet outside, first verify that their microchip registration is current. Double-check doors, gates, and potential escape routes, and consider double-leashing new pets until you fully understand their behavior.
If you do need to go out with your pet, always ensure your pets wear both a permanent ID and a visible ID at all times. Pet Identification: Why Every Pet Needs a Tag and Microchip - BC Pet Registry
Beware of Fireworks and Loud Noises
Fireworks are common around Halloween and can cause extreme anxiety. Nearly 50% of dogs and 80% of horses display fear when exposed to fireworks. Night Emergency Officer at the BC SPCA, reports a spike of 30 to 50 emergency calls on Halloween night. Once a pet panics and runs, catching them becomes extremely difficult. Reduce risk by keeping pets indoors, in quiet areas away from the noise.
Secure Your Pet’s Home Environment
New pets need extra precautions. Before Halloween, inspect your home for potential escape routes. Close gates, doors, and fences securely. Consider double-leashing and using harnesses for walks during the evening. Familiarize your pets with decorations and costumes to reduce fear and panic.
Here is more information on How to keep animals safe during Halloween fireworks – BC SPCA
Update Microchips and IDs Without Delay
Microchips are only effective if registered and up to date. BC Pet Registry’s guardians have full control over their accounts, with free and unlimited updates and no upsell.
- Already registered? Log in to confirm your information.
- Not registered yet? Choose the BC Pet Registry to ensure your pet can be returned home safely in any emergency. Not all registries are the same – choose the right one!
- Don’t have a microchip yet? Make sure you ask your vet these questions about microchips and registries before you get one.
Other Resources for Halloween Times
- Learn about how to keep your pet’s tattoo code updated here
- Leaving your pets at the sitters for Halloween? Ask your sitters to read about our pet sitting tips!
FAQs
1. Should I take my pet trick-or-treating?
It’s safest to leave pets at home, especially during fireworks or crowded areas.
2. What if my pet is scared of fireworks?
Keep them indoors, create a safe space, and use calming techniques recommended by your vet.
3. How do I ensure my microchip works on Halloween?
Login to your BC Pet Registry account to confirm your contact information is current. If you haven’t done so recently, ask your vet or your nearest BC SPCA shelter to scan your pet’s microchip before Halloween. Make it a habit to repeat this scan at every annual vet visit to ensure it can always be easily detected. Have questions? Email the BC Pet Registry team at info@bcpetregistry.ca for guidance.
4. Why should I use the BC Pet Registry for microchips?
You have full control, updates are free, and it ensures your pet can be returned home safely. There are many more reasons as to why you should use BC Pet Registry’s microchip and registry, read our blog here to learn more.
