Scary time of year
While Halloween is supposed to be fun, it isn’t always so for pets, particularly black cats, who are associated with bad luck and therefore, tend to get a bad rap.
The Santa Monica Animal Shelter and the Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control department remind people to keep pets indoors in a secure and comfortable area with a radio or television playing in the background. Many pets are startled by the noise from trick-or-treaters.
Owners are also told to keep current license and ID tags securely affixed to a pet’s collar since it is the only voice a pet has if he or she becomes lost or stolen.
Do not leave pets unattended. Loud noises frighten pets and they may panic, become confused and can go to great lengths to escape their enclosures. This can include chewing leashes or breaking fences.
Keep pets away from all candy. Chocolate, which contains theobromine, can be poisonous to pets, causing nerve damage and even death. The same goes for candy wrappers. Tin foil and cellophane candy wrappers are tempting treats for pets and can cause them to choke or to have intestinal blocks.
Another important tip is to keep jacko-lanterns away from pets because they can knock them over, which could result in a fire.
Don’t dress up pets unless they are used to it and enjoy it. Costumes can restrict their movements, vision, hearing or their ability to breathe or bark. Costumes can also have small or dangling accessories that can be swallowed by a pet.
Some adoption agencies will not allow people to adopt black cats in the weeks before Halloween because they are fearful that someone will do harm to the animals as part of some sick prank. Donn Umber, the director of the Santa Monica Animal Shelter, said there is no such policy here, but his staff does keep a close eye on black cats in their care and do not allow just anyone to adopt them.
“My staff is pretty experienced and savvy enough to spot red flags, like if someone came in and specifically asked for a black cat, if they come in and the first question they ask is how much does it cost to buy a cat, or if they say they want to adopt a cat without spending any time with it,” Umber said. “That really goes for all of our pets. If someone is willing to spend time with the animal and spend the money to have them spayed or neutered and the whole nine yards, then we wouldn’t hesitate.”
THE OTHER LITTLE ONES Pets aren’t the only ones who need protecting. Young children also need help. They are often out after dark, crossing busy streets and perhaps going to unfamiliar homes.
“It’s definitely a concern, which is why I go with them,” said Sarah Fix, a mother of a 4-year-old who will be dressing up as a firefighter this Halloween. “We pretty much stick to our neighborhood and try to get done before it gets too late. At this age, the kids tend to get tired pretty early on, so there’s really nothing to worry about there. I guess my biggest concern is keeping them away from all the candy before I have a chance to sort through it. You have to hide it or else they’ll eat it all in one night.”
Law enforcement officials are warning drivers to be careful on Halloween. Drive slowly, particularly when driving over a hill or around a curve where visibility is limited. Use high beams to see and be seen.
Trick-or-treaters should always be accompanied by an adult or travel in a group. Children should be told not to eat any unwrapped candy or treats until they return home where their parents can see them. Making sure kids have already eaten before heading out may help.
Parents should incorporate reflective tape in costumes or add bright colors to increase visibility. Make-up rather than masks should be worn to help ensure that children have an unobstructed view of their surroundings.
Kids can get caught up in the excitement and may not be as careful as they should and cross in the middle of a street instead of at the corners. Children should stay on the sidewalk or if none is available, walk facing traffic. They should also carry a flashlight to make themselves more visible.
THE ALTERNATIVES For those who do not want to hit the streets for trick-or-treating can still get their fix at several locations, such as the Santa Monica Place Mall, Barker Hangar and the Santa Monica Playhouse. Each year, Macerich Co., the owners of Santa Monica Place, open their doors on Halloween and invite youngsters and their parents to come and show off their costumes while individual stores hand out candies. This year, the “Spooktacular Extravaganza” will feature pumpkin decorating on Saturday, Oct. 27, as well as mall-wide trick-or-treating and a costume contest on Oct. 31.
The Police Activities League does something similar, hosting PALoween at Barker Hanger. There, families can trick-or-treat in safety and receive candy donated by various businesses and residents.
“It’s just a safe place where people can bring their kids and have a good time without having to worry about going out on the streets and having to deal with the traffic or the weather,” said SMPD Lt. Alex Padilla.
The Santa Monica Playhouse is presenting the “Halloween Enchanted Lunchtime Theatre” from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Admissions is $25 per child. Parents are free. Lunch is included. There will be storytelling, sing-alongs, crafts and an enactment of a Halloween-themed fairy tale. There will also be a “Mummy (or daddy) and Me” event for 3-to 5-year-olds.
For the older crowd, there’s nothing like a good house party.
“That’s what I’ll be doing,” said Bethany Cox, a 22-year-old student at Santa Monica College. “When you’re a kid, you really get excited about dressing up and going trick-or-treating, but as you get older, like in high school, you feel like you’re too cool for it, that it’s for little kids. Then when you get out of high school, it all changes and you can’t wait to put on your costume and go party.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 27, 2007. Read the original PDF.