MARY JO NAGY | Pets Don't let animals run the streets

October's article includes several topics that may not appear to be similar but are important to pets during this month's activities.
First, all animals need exercise. Let me share an important tip with you now: Opening the door and letting your dog run the neighborhood is not proper exercise. It is not only irresponsible as a pet owner, but it is also against the law. Animals running the streets are subject to becoming lost or taken by someone, poisoned or injured by cars. Do not let your animal run the streets.
Proper exercise should consist of playing games, such as fetch with a ball or Frisbee, tug-of-war in the yard or taking your dog for a walk. Agility training is also an excellent form of exercise.
Cats also love to play with feather toys, jingle balls, toy mice, scratching posts and catnip. Outdoor cats left to run are more prone to injury, poisoning and theft.
Second, all pets, including cats, need collars and identification tags. A tag should include the animal's name, your name, telephone number and address if possible. All animals should wear a current rabies tag and, for dogs, a current license.
If a pet owner cares enough to put a collar on his animal, then he should care enough to put an ID tag on it too. Many animals might still be alive today if this had been done. The vast majority of animals turned into pounds and shelters without ID tags are eventually killed. Even if your animal spends most of its time indoors, it needs to have a collar with tags.
October can be bad
Third, and final, point: October is not a friendly month for pets. Halloween can be a stressful and dangerous time of the year for animals. Cruelty to animals before, during and after Halloween is on the rise. There are too many stories of vicious people who tease, injure, steal, torture and kill pets around Halloween.
Do not let your pet run the streets this month. Do not leave pets unattended in the back yard even if it is fenced. Your animal can be taken. If you have an outdoor dog, keep an eye on it. Put it in a protected area like a garage or basement on Halloween.
Cats are the most susceptible to cruelty and torture, so keep your cats safe. Outdoor cats should be brought indoors several days before and after Halloween if at all possible.
Black cats are at the most risk to cult-related activities, but an animal of any color can be at the mercy of a person performing cruel rituals.
During trick-or-treat hours, dogs and cats should be kept in a separate room because an animal can dart out an open door. Strangers in costumes can scare or anger your dog or cat. If you are having a party, keep your pet secure in a room away from the festivities. If your pet should slip away, that ID tag will be important for a safe return.
Other concerns
Also, be careful of pets around candles and lighted pumpkins. Curious pets may knock them over and become burned or cause a fire. Trick-or-treat candy is not for pets either. Candy may cause vomiting or diarrhea or, in the case of chocolate, death to your pet. Tin foil and cellophane candy wrappers can be hazardous if swallowed.
Don't dress up the dog or cat unless you know that it can tolerate it. Costumes can be stressful, but if you have to dress up your pet, make sure the costume doesn't impede vision or is unsafe. It shouldn't constrict movement, breathing, hearing or the ability to urinate.
Hopefully these tips can make October and Halloween a safer time for your pet. Always keep an ID tag on your animal in case it gets lost. Don't let your pet run the neighborhood. If you see an act of cruelty or torture, please call the police or humane officer. Violence to animals is no laughing matter.
XMary Jo Nagy is a volunteer with Angels for Animals.