Halloween lovers are getting an early start on activities this year, and from what I have found, creative costume choices have not been limited to just children and adults. Pet lovers have taken Halloween to a new extreme, and animal costumes are the hot ticket at this time of the year.
If you’re looking for the perfect reason to dress up your favorite furry friend, here is an opportunity to take your pooch out to show him off. On Saturday, Oct. 24 at 10:45 a.m., the Buffalo Grove Park District is hosting their popular Halloween Canine Costume Contest at Raupp Museum, 901 Dunham Lane, Buffalo Grove.
Admission is free, and the contest categories are for small dog (0 – 25 pounds), medium dog (25 – 45 pounds), large dog (45 pounds or more) and best family costume. The best family costume category is for any sized dog and their owners to be coordinated in a creative and unique way. For example, one family came as the Wizard of Oz, where their three dogs were dressed as the tin man, lion and scarecrow and the mom dressed as Dorothy! There will be prizes for the contest winners and all are welcome to attend. Right after the Costume Contest, hang around at the museum for the Great Pumpkin Hunt at 11:30 a.m. Kids ages 3 to 12 can hunt for pumpkins and then enjoy decorating them. The fee is $10 for residents and $13 for non-residents. Advance registration is required; call 847-850-2100.
Grove Animal Hospital is also holding a photo contest for your best autumn photo featuring your pet. You could enter on their Facebook page and the winner will get a $25 account credit, and Grove will add a $25 account credit to Castaway Pet Rescue. The contest ends on Nov. 10.
Vernon Hills’ PetSmart, 700 N. Milwaukee Ave., is hosting a Halloween event at their store on Saturday, Oct. 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for kids and pets. Dress them up and visit their treat stations with Halloween goodies and let them take pictures in their photo booth. Pictures can then be entered in PetSmart’s Monster Cute Photo Contest. Details are available in the store.
On Saturday, October 31 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Chicago Botanic Garden will allow dogs to visit for their Spooky Pooch Parade. Spectators are invited to watch the creative array of costumed dogs march the parade route. There will also be a costume contest with awards in a variety of categories. For more information, ticket prices, call the garden at 847-835-5440 or visit their website at
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www.chicagobotanic.org.While many parents are diligent in following Halloween safety tips for their children, the North Shore Animal League America has offered some advice to help keep your pets safe and secure on Halloween.
* Make sure your pets have on identification at all times. With that front door continuously opening and closing for trick-or-treaters, there is a chance they could run out.
* Give your pets a quiet and safe place on Halloween. Constant doorbell ringing or strangers at your home could make your pet stressed and anxious.
* Keep Halloween candy and wrappers out of your pet’s reach. Chocolate can be toxic to animals. Also, sugar-free candies can contain xylitol, a sweetener that is toxic to dogs. If you suspect that your pet has ingested any amount of chocolate or xylitol, call your veterinarian immediately.
* Keep lighted pumpkins, electrical cords and wires away from your pet.
* The Animal League wants to remind you that costumes are fun for people, but not necessarily for your pet. Don’t dress up your pet unless you know they enjoy it. Make sure that the costume doesn’t restrict movement, vision, hearing or the ability to breathe or bark. Also, avoid costumes with small accessories that the pet could chew off and choke on. Make sure that costumed pets are supervised at all times.
Just a reminder that the scheduled trick-or-treat hours for kids and adults on Saturday, October 31st are from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Buffalo Grove and from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in both Lincolnshire and Vernon Hills. Have a fun, sweet and safe Halloween!
That’s all for now; please keep in touch and send neighborhood news to Aileen Simons at [email protected].
Aileen Simons is a freelance columnist for Pioneer Press.