WAKE COUNTY, N.C.

Celebrate Howl-O-Ween with the Animals at the SPCAPlus, Halloween Safety Tips

(Raleigh, NC)—Party like an animal this Halloween! Or at least party with an animal this Halloween at the SPCA of Wake County's 4th Annual Howl-O-Ween celebration.

This fun and educational event will provide a unique and memorable Halloween outing for children of all ages. Enjoy a howling good time on Saturday, October 24 from 2:00pm to 5:00pm at the SPCA's Curtis Dail Pet Adoption Center in Raleigh just off Tryon Rd and Hwy. 70.

Enjoy Halloween crafts, sweets, games, and a growlingly ghoulish fashion show put on by dogs currently available for adoption. Meet the winner of the SPCA's Best Black Shelter Cat contest and our very own "pet psychic." Children of all ages will enjoy special educational programs on taking care of pets and Halloween safety.

A small donation or animal related item (www.spcawake.org/donate) as admission to the event to help support the SPCA's life-saving programs is appreciated. Party goers should leave their own pets at home to allow the homeless dogs, cats, and rabbits to have center stage.

For additional details, visit www.spcawake.org or call 919-772-2326. The SPCA Curtis Dail Pet Adoption Center is located at 200 Petfinder Lane, Raleigh. The SPCA is a private, non-profit organization that rehomes more than 3,200 animals each year.

In preparation for Halloween, here are a few Halloween Safety Tips for Pet Parents:

1. Lots of strangers, especially strangers dressed in costumes, can be scary and stressful for your pet. Keep your pet in a separate room during prime trick-or-treat hours.2. Dogs and cats may want sweets, but keep them safe and stick to pet treats. Chocolate can be dangerous for pets to consume; and, although that shiny or crinkly candy wrapper sounds and looks exciting, it is hazardous if swallowed. If you think that your pet has eaten a dangerous substance, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 (they charge a consult fee) immediately.3. Halloween decorations can spell danger for pets. Make sure that electrical cords or other items that might break or deliver a shock when chewed are out of reach.4. Keep candles away from pets. Candles can be easily knocked over by a pet, and a curious cat can be burned or singed by a candle flame. 5. Unless you know that your pet loves it, wearing a costume can cause stress and discomfort for your pet. If you do dress your pet, make sure that the costume allows them to move normally; does not hinder their hearing sight, or breathing; and, includes no pieces that they could chew off and choke on.

Related Links

1. http://www.spcawake.org/howloween