Posted: Wed 31st Oct 2018

Trick or Treater posters and guidance issued for Halloween – for both pets and kids

Wrexham.com for people living in or visiting the Wrexham area
This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Oct 31st, 2018

This evening sees Halloween, a date becoming more popular in the calendar with more young people expected to be ‘trick or treating’ than ever before.

As a result police have created two posters for those who don’t want to be pestered, or those who have boxes of sweets ready to give out. RSPCA Cymru have also issued some advice to ensure your pets have an enjoyable evening, that does not involve dressing them up.

North Wales Police have said: “This Halloween our officers will be out and about to make sure you have a safe and enjoyable evening” while pointing people to the below advice for Trick or treaters:

– Always go trick or treating with an adult
– Don’t talk to strangers on the street
– Only go to houses where you or your friends know the people who live there
– Don’t knock on doors where there is a sign saying ‘NO callers’
– Don’t go inside any houses, always stay on the doorstep
– Although Halloween is supposed to be spooky, don’t frighten elderly people
– Stay in areas that are lit by streetlights, but take a torch just in case
– Stay with your friends – don’t split into smaller groups unless an adult goes with you

Police have also created two posters to display in your window to show whether you’re happy to receive trick or treaters, or not.

Pdficon Small Callers welcome poster

Pdficon Small No callers please poster

RSPCA Cymru has also produced simple guidelines for keeping pets calmer over Halloween.

– Make sure your dog or cat has somewhere to hide – perhaps under some furniture or in a cupboard – and can get to it at any time.

– Ensure your pet is kept in a safe and secure environment and can’t escape, especially if you are expecting lots of trick or treaters and will be frequently opening the front door.

– Make sure your pets are microchipped in case they do escape.

– Consider putting up a sign on your front door to let trick or treaters know you have a nervous pet and ask them to pass on without knocking or ringing the doorbell. You could leave some goodies in a bowl in the porch or on a window ledge if you still want to join in the festivities.

– Walking dogs during daylight can help avoid trick or treaters and avoids them having to go outside if fireworks are also set off.

– At nightfall, close windows and curtains and put on music to mask and muffle the sound of any loud noises or voices outside.

– Keep chocolate and sweets away from pets – eating these could make them really poorly, so you should call your vet straight away if you are concerned they may have eaten some.

– We advise owners against dressing up their pets in outfits or costumes as this can cause them stress and restricts them in showing their natural behaviour and how they may be feeling. A new game or toy is a much better way to have fun together.

RSPCA animal behaviour expert Dr Samantha Gaines said: “Fear of loud noises, fireworks, and strange and unfamiliar people can be managed and we recommend seeking advice from your vet so that you can plan ahead and help your pet cope around Halloween. For example, your vet may recommend the use of diffusers which disperse calming chemicals into the room. In the longer term, if your dog is frightened of unfamiliar noises or fireworks, your vet may suggest referral to a clinical animal behaviourist to teach him/her to get used to the sounds,

“It is also a good idea to provide your dog with a safe haven. It is best to get your dog used to this before the season starts. Choose somewhere quiet and help him to learn that being there is positive and that no harm will come to him. You can do this by giving him toys or a variety of chew toys.

“Small animals that live outside should have lots of extra bedding so they can burrow and some of their enclosure could be covered by a blanket for extra insulation and soundproofing. If you are planning to bring them indoors then to start then introduce this before Halloween.



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