Trick or Treat: Only one of them is for dogs

Fall is here! And that means it's time for cozy sweaters, changing leaves, pumpkin spice lattes, and of course Halloween. A holiday, that unfortunately for pets, can be filled with looming dangers.

Here are three reminders that can help keep your pet safe on Halloween.

1. Blow Out the Candles
Glowing pumpkins look great and make your house extra spooky, just make sure to keep them safely out of reach. Pets, and little kids for that matter, can easily knock over burning candles, creating a truly scary Halloween.


2. Watch those Doors
As you hand out candy and other treats to gremlins, princesses, and pirates remember to keep an eye on your curious pets who would love nothing more than to sneak out that front door.

If you have a room where you can lock up your furry ones for a few hours, even better! This will keep them from running out the door and away from the sometimes frighting and always strange sights and sounds of trick-or-treaters.


3. Hide the Candy
We all know chocolate is bad for dogs. But so are candy corns, sweets containing xylitol (a common sugar substitute), and many other treats just calling your pooch's name. And don't forget the wrappers! The more inquisitive and less picky pets will eat those too. 

And now, have a fun and safe Halloween!

Meet Lexi

You will have a hard time recognizing, Lexi (formerly known as Paris), found wondering the streets a few months ago. And it's not just because of her name change. 

Then, her long tail was tucked, her coat wasn't gleaming and smooth, and one of her ears did not perk mischievously up.

Now, safe, loved, and settled into her new home, she's keeping her new mom, Michelle, very entertained. And active.

Lexi may look relaxed in her mama's lap, but don't let those serene eyes and adorable ears fool you. Underneath the calm demeanor hides a twenty-pound ball of happy energy whose favorite pastime ranges from running to dashing to sprinting. All of which Lexi practices non-stop. Inside the house and out. After all, practice does make perfect.

And we can't wait to see her moves when that silly neck brace comes off!

Lexi, adopted from C.A.R.E by Michelle, May 2013

Did you know that...

56% of pet owners drive with their pets, but only 16% strap them in.

According to an AAA survey, as many as 17% admitted to letting their pooches sit on their lap, 18% confessed to reaching into backseat to interact with their dogs, and an astonishing 65% revealed that they have engaged in at least one potentially distracting activity while driving with their dog.  

Why restrain your pooch?

Safety, of course - theirs and yours! In U.S. alone, an estimated 30,000 car accidents are caused annually by unrestrained pets. The numbers get even scarier - an unrestrained 10-pound dog in a crash at 50 mph will exert roughly 500 pounds of force, while an unrestrained 80-pound dog in a crash at only 30 mph will exert approximately 2400 pounds of force.

Some states are even starting to implement laws and fines punishing drivers who let their four-legged passengers roam free.

So next time you get behind the wheel, make sure that your pet is as buckled in as you are!

Meet Cassie

When Cassie first came to live with us, she was shy, skittish, and scared.

Tailed tucked firmly under her belly, she ignored a basket full of squeaky toys and no amount of treats could convince her to sleep in the ginormous bone-shaped doggie bed my husband and I carefully picked out at the store. Instead, she politely but stubbornly stared at us from under-the-bed safety.

Weeks went by but Cassie's big Chihuahua ears stayed pinned back. She was cautious of our harmless 10-year old beagle and avoided our two curious cats like the plague. In Cassie's defense, both are quite a bit bigger than she is. Loud noises petrified her.

Changes happened gradually, often when we weren't even paying attention. One day, Cassie didn't hide when I started the vacuum. Another time, she marched bravely past Niko-the-cat as if he wasn't even there. And yet another, Cassie didn't cross the street when a big dog walked towards her. Her ears perked up and her tail no longer touched her belly.

We've had Cassie for over a year, and are still seeing changes in this brave, precious bundle of joy. She adores us and greets us with enthusiastic barks when we come home from work. She loves her older sister, although does draw the line at sharing treats with her. The squeaky toys and the bone-shaped bed are in full use. And instead of giving up her warm spot to Niko, Cassie graciously shares her favorite couch cushion. She was there first, after all.

Have you adopted from C.A.R.E.? If so, we'd love to hear from you! Just comment or send us a note ("Send us a Note" tool on the right-hand side) and see your own adoption story published on the C.A.R.E. blog.

Cassie, adopted from C.A.R.E by Nathan and Natasha, March 2012 

The New C.A.R.E. Blog!

Welcome to our new blog where we'll share all that is happening at C.A.R.E. This means adoption stories, available dogs, tips & tricks, upcoming events, and much more!

And so you don't miss a thing, sign up for email updates - each time a new post goes live, you'll have it right in your inbox. (Just check your inbox for a verification message from "FeedBurner Email Subscriptions" as your final step.)

Stay tuned and thanks for reading!