We are putting a spotlight on pet safety today to celebrate PetNet Safety Day, a cooperative effort of pet Web sites to highlight ways to keep your pets safe. With Halloween around the corner, we thought we would share some tips to keep Halloween fun for you and safe for your pet.

Halloween is a fun time for kids and many adults, but can be a frightening and stressful time for your pets. As a pet owner, you know your pet best, but here are some points to consider for your four-legged friend’s safety.

•    Continual doorbell ringing and people at the door (in costume, no less!) can be very stressful for pets. Keep your four-legged friends in a quiet and safe place on Halloween.

•    Watch your pet around strangers in costume – some animals may become unexpectedly aggressive or fearful, even ones that are normally very friendly.

•    Candles and Jack-o’lanterns within a pet’s range are a fire hazard.

•    Candy – many pets have a sweet tooth. General overindulgence and plastic/cardboard candy-filled toys can cause added problems if ingested.

•    Chocolate is toxic to pets. Signs of chocolate toxicity include tremors, nervousness, vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, seizures and death. If you suspect that your pet has eaten chocolate, consult your veterinarian.

•    Keep your pets indoors on Halloween night, especially black cats. Animals are at risk for cruel treatment by some Halloween pranksters. Many adoption agencies and humane societies will not allow adoption of black cats around Halloween for this reason.

•    If outdoors, keep your pet leashed.

•    Make sure ID tags are on collars.

•    While viewed as fun and adorable for some pet owners, caution is advised when putting a costume on a pet. A pet in costume should NEVER be left alone and unsupervised.

•    Play it safe and have fun! If any acts of animal cruelty are seen or suspected, please call your local shelter or animal authorities.

Happy and safe Halloween to everyone!