Follow these tips to keep your pets safe this Halloween

Halloween is a great time for humans to party and dress up, but it might not be fun for your furry friends.

El Paso Animal Services offers pet owners tips to ensure the safety of their four-legged family members while they have fun.

• Identify your pets: With all the doorbells ringing, doors opening, and creepy guests, pets may try to escape outside. Make sure pets have collars and current identification tags. Their microchip information should be up to date to help them return home if they are found on the street.
• Create a safe space: All the Halloween excess can be overwhelming for pets. Therefore, set up a quiet room away from the hustle and bustle to reduce stress and keep your pets safe. Make sure you have their favorite toys with you too.
• Keep candy out of reach: People may love them, but chocolate and sugar-free candies are toxic to pets, and candy wrappers can pose a choking hazard. Pets love to sneak treats. So be extra careful and keep all human treats safely out of your pets’ reach.
• Costume comfort: Your pooch or cat may look adorable in a costume that’s perfect for social media, but if your pet isn’t comfortable in it, don’t force them to wear one. Instead, keep it simple by using a Halloween-themed bandana, for example. If you dress your pet in a costume, make sure it is safe, non-restrictive and allows them to move freely.
• Check out the decorations: Keep candles, burning pumpkins, and electrical cords away from curious pets. Chewing or knocking over decorations can cause injury, burns or electric shock.
• To be seen on walks: When trick-or-treating with your pet, use reflective collars, leashes and lights.
• Know your pet: Some pets may become stressed or anxious due to the excitement of Halloween. If your pet is having problems, contact a veterinarian for calming solutions or products.

If your pet manages to slip out the door or run away while walking, visit the El Paso Animal Services Center at 5001 Fred Wilson Ave. as soon as possible.

For resources and to file a lost or found pet report in El Paso, visit ElPasoAnimalServices.org/LostPetResources or ElPasoAnimalServices.org/FoundPetResources.