by Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com ~ All Photo’s taken by Nancy E. Hassel/LIPetPlace.com

Ahhh Howl-o-ween…where the adogable dogs and animals get dressed in their spookiest costumes to get their pumpkins filled with dog treats and win prizes for the best dressed costumes.  This weekend might as well be Halloween proper for pets as it is probably one of the busiest Pet Events weekend I have ever seen here!

For those of you who missed our Pet Events Newsletter this week, GASP, here is the run down of events.  Oh and please don’t dress up your dog if he or she doesn’t like it!

Howl-O-Ween Adoption Event
Saturday, October 25, 2010
10:00:00 AM – 4:00:00 AM
Brookhaven Animal Shelter
300 Horseblock Road
Brookhaven, NY 11719

Large adoption event at the shelter from 10am-4pm. There will be Music, Games, Arts and Crafts, Face Painting, Balloon Animals, and of course our Free adoptable animals! Come down and join us at 300 Horseblock Road, Brookhaven NY 11719. For more information call (631) 286-4940 Or email Ashely at aboyd@brookhaven.org.

“King or Queen of the Palace” Adoption Event & Costume Contest!
Saturday, October 25 (rain date October 26th)
11am-4pm
Pet Palace
500 Montauk Highway
Moriches, NY

Suffolk Barkfest 2014
Saturday, October 25, 2014
12:00- 3:00 pm
Holiday Inn Express Stonybrook
3131 Nesconset Hwy
Setauket, NY 11720

Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine invites you to Barkfest 2014. A Pet Costume Contest for Long Island. On Saturday October 25th at 12 noon bring your pup in their best Halloween costume and join with other best dressed creatures!  Party 105 will be broadcasting live.  Free event!  For more info contact Susana Rojas at 516-246-9740 or by email at barkfest2014@gmail.com.

Friends of Valley Stream Dogs 3rd Annual Howl-o-ween Party
Saturday October 25, 2014
12-4pm
Valley Stream Dog Park
Verona Place
Valley Stream, NY 11580

Help Support The Friends Of Valley Stream Dogs! Join us at the dog park for our annual Howl-O-Ween Party. Come see local vendors and rescue groups, participate in our doggy costume competition, and enjoy raffles and fun. All are welcome (you don’t need to be a member for this event). Costume contest will be at 1pm, entry $10 (free to members of Friends of Valley Stream Dogs). Party is free, Costume contest $10 to non-FOVSD members. Raffle drawing will start at around 2pm.  For more info contact Denise Accardi-Barnard at vsdogrun@gmail.com or call (516) 350-8737.

Howl-o-ween Smushed Costume Faced Party!
Saturday, October 25, 2014
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Petco
227 Forest Avenue
Glen Cove, NY

Little Lucy’s Pet Parade
Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014
Starting at 1pm
91 Jobs Lane
Southampton, NY 11968

Little Lucy’s Annual Halloween Pet Parade taking place this Saturday, October 25, 2014 at 1pm.  All to benefit the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation! LL will have Entertainment by Mr. Beau Hulse, Costume award Prizes by Little Lucy’s, Great Merchant Raffle Prizes, Adorable Adoptable Dogs from the SH Shelter & much more! For more information call (631) 287-2352 or email littlelucys@optonline.net.

Live Love Bark 2014 Howl-o-Ween Dog Costume Party
Saturday, October 25, 2014
3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Toomey’s Tavern on the Crik
251 So. Ketcham Ave
Amityville, NY 11701

We will be hosting our annual Howl-o-ween fundraiser on Saturday, October 25th (rain date, Sunday, October 26th) from 3 to 7 pm.  All dogs must be on-leash at all times. There will be tons of raffles and merchandise to purchase too! Raffles will be drawn at 6:30. The dog costume contest will be held at 4:30. There’s a $10 entry fee per dog. 3 winners will be selected by a special panel of judges! (to be announced!)  For more info contact Venessa Rotondi at 631-742-4491 or emaillivelovebarkdogrescue@gmail.com or click here.

Happy Howl-O-Ween Party & Open House
Sunday, October 26, 2014
12:00pm – 4:00pm
Kent Animal Shelter
2259 River Road
Calverton, NY 11933

Tricks and treats for kids and pets, raffle baskets, and scenic river family pet photos are planned for a Happy Howl-O-Ween Party & Open House at the Kent Animal Shelter on Sunday, October 26, 12-4PM (raindate November 1). Come meet Kents pro trainer and see our beautifully renovated kennels and grounds!  For more info call (631) 727-5731 or email Linda at linda@kentanimalshelter.com.

5th Annual PJ Village Spooktacular & Annual Fetch Pet Parade!
Sunday, October 26, 2014
2pm
Fetch Pet Boutique
301 East Main Street
Port Jefferson, NY 11777

The Parade is sponsored by Fetch Doggy Boutique it will begin promptly at 2 pm in front of Fetch. Judy from The Puparazzi will be there to take photos for $12.00 per picture; they will start at noon and will go till 2:00pm. Pictures will be done on a first come, first serve basis. Prizes for best costumes! Fun for all! Bring your pet in their best howl-o-ween costume!  The festival will have other events sponsored by the PJ Chamber of Commerce – so you can enjoy the whole day with your spooky pup! For more info call Brittney Pearce at 631-331-0965 or email info@fetchdoggies.com

Dog Days at Old Westbury Gardens & Costume contest!
Saturday & Sunday, October 25 & 26, 2014
10 – 5pm on Sat., 1 – 4pm on Sunday.
Old Westbury Gardens
71 Old Westbury Rd
Westbury, NY 11590

Dog Days at the Gardens is back this weekend. Bring your dog for an invigorating walk and healthy exercise at Old Westbury Gardens. Dogs must be leashed.
Saturday and Sunday, October 25 and 26, 10am-5pm.  On Sunday of Dog Days, enjoy our Fall Dog Festival! The festival features exhibits by animal welfare organizations, vendors, and rescue groups. Sunday, October 26, displays and activities 1-4pm, costume contest and parade at 3pm. Also on Sunday LI-Dog will be doing a pack walk during the event, click here for more info about that.  For more information about Dog Days or if you want to be a Vendor on Sunday – contact Paul Hunchak atphunchak@oldwestburygardens.org.

by Pamela Fitzpatrick, of YourDogWalkers, shihtzu58@optonline.net

Halloween Safety Tips for your Pets!

Halloween is only a few days away and with pet costume parades, parties and trick-or-treating happening across Long Island many people want to include their pets in the fun. People often take their dogs along when trick or treating with their children, and those doggie costumes sure are cute! Here are some things that can help keep your pets safe when October 31 rolls around.

Costumes

Halloween can be a wonderful time spent with our pets, many people will adorn their dog, cat, goat or horse in costumes – but keep in mind not all pets like to wear clothes.  If you decide to dress up your pet please make sure it’s not too stressful for them. Some animals are fine with costumes, but it can be a great source of anxiety for others.   Just like their human counterparts, pet costumes should be properly sized, and non-constricting. Check for vision obstructions, and buttons, strings or ties that could create a choking or strangulation hazard.  Remove the costume if your pet is unattended.  A tip to help your pet get accustomed to wearing a costume is have them wear it in the house for a little while each day while supervised, to get used to it.  If your pet absolutely refuses, fights you, tries to “rub off” the clothing – then a costume is not for your pet.  Never force your pet to wear a costume!

Trick-or-Treating

Since Halloween is on a Sunday this year, there are more likely to be more trick-or-treaters ringing your door bell and a lot more activity in your neighborhoods.  Some pets do great and don’t seem to mind, but others can be very nervous or frightened with the constant knocking, door bells going off, strangers in costume, etc.  It’s probably best to keep your dog and cat away from your front door when the neighborhood children come to call. Dogs and cats are often frightened by all the commotion. A more adventurous pet might see the open door as an opportunity to bolt. Just in case, make sure your pet has proper identification on at all times. There’s always the possibility that a dog could view costumed visitors as a threat, (even someone they know) so don’t take any chances. Never leave your pet outside on Halloween. They could easily be harmed or stolen. Black cats are particularly at risk this time of year. Also if you don’t normally you’re your pet, don’t make Halloween a day to do so, costumes and screaming kids could definitely make it an unpleasant experience.  Finally, make sure you pet doesn’t eat any of the trick-or-treat candies – many ingredients are toxic to dogs and cats.

Holiday Decorations

Candles create a spooky ambiance, but they are easily knocked over by pets (and kids!). Consider using battery operated candles, which flicker realistically and are worry free. Always keep spider webbing, balloons, and other decorations out of your pets reach.

With a little planning, you can have a safe and fun day that includes the four-legged members of your family. Happy Halloween!