Submitted by Regional Animal Services of King County

Halloween is “spook-tacular” for kids of all ages, but the holiday can be pretty scary for our pets. Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) would like to remind pet owners of a few safety tips before the ghosts and goblins come begging.

Never feed candy to your pet, especially chocolate. If you suspect your dog or cat has gotten into Halloween treats, contact your veterinarian right away.

Costumes can be scary to some pets. If your pet is easily spooked by strangers or loud noises, consider keeping them safe in a pet crate or confined to a quiet room while trick-or-treaters are out.

Since they can escape when you open the door for trick-or-treaters, be sure your pet is wearing a collar with a license or ID tag securely attached. You may also consider microchipping your cat or dog. Check with your veterinarian.

If your pet does escape, check with all local shelters and animal rescue groups, as scared pets can sometimes travel long distances. You can file a report on RASKC’s website at www.kingcounty.gov/LostAPet.