The Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care & Control reminds everyone that Halloween can be a fun holiday, but also it can be potentially dangerous and frightening for pets. Here are some tips to keep your pets safe during Halloween:

- Keep pets indoors in a secure comfortable area with a radio or television playing in the background. Many pets fear of the noise from trick-or-treaters.
- Always keep current license and ID tags securely affixed to pet’s collar. A license tag is the only voice a pet has if he or she becomes lost.
- Do not leave pets outside unattended. Loud noises frighten pets and they may panic, become confused, and can go through 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.
- Properly dispose of all candy wrappers. Tinfoil and cellophane candy wrappers are tempting treats for pets and can cause pets to choke or to have intestinal blocks.
- Keep pumpkins or jack-o-lanterns away from pets. Pets can knock them over which could result in a burn.
- Halloween pet costumes can pose safety hazards for pets. Do not dress them up unless they are used to it and enjoy it. Make sure the costume does not restrict their movement, vision, hearing or the ability to breathe or bark. Halloween pet costumes should not have small or dangling accessories that can be swallowed by your pet.
- Post the numbers of emergency clinics and the animal control agency that services your area on your refrigerator or another location where you can find them in case of an emergency.

If your pet does become lost, it is critical that you visit the animal shelters surrounding your area in person. Shelter staff and volunteers will also provide suggestions for finding lost pets. Be sure to bring a photograph of any missing pets to post at animal shelters.