Keep your pets safe this Halloween

Halloween may be fun for us humans, but it can be a scary and dangerous time for our pets. Here are some tips for keeping your four-legged friends safe and happy this Halloween (source: aspca.org):

Skip the sweets: Several popular Halloween treats are toxic to pets. Chocolate is especially dangerous, particularly to dogs.

Watch out for those wrappers: Cats especially love to play with candy wrappers, but ingesting aluminum foil or cellophane can cause intestinal blockage and induce vomiting.

Trick-or-treating is for kids, not pets: During trick-or-treating hours it is best to keep pets in a room away from your front door. Make sure your pet is wearing a collar with tags and/or is microchipped.

Careful with costumes: If you dress up your pet for Halloween, make sure the costume does not limit his movement, hearing, sight or ability to breathe or bark. Also check the costume for choking hazards.

Decorations can be dangerous: Re-think putting candles in Jack-O-Lanterns. Also take care to prevent your pets from having access to wires and cords from holiday decorations.

ID's please: When opening the door for trick-or-treaters, make sure your cat or dog doesn't dart outside. Make sure your dog or cat has proper identification and is microchipped for a safe return if lost. If your pet is lost in the cities of Escondido, San Marcos or Poway, contact Escondido Humane Society Animal Control at (760) 888-BARK.

From everyone here at the Escondido Humane Society, have a safe and fun Halloween!

Just a few more days left for adoption specials

Hurry in to the Escondido Humane Society to take advantage of our October dog and cat adoption specials. In case you forgot, here's the skinny on both:

To help our feline friends find the purr-fect forever homes, we are reducing their adoption fees. Adult cats and kittens can be adopted for just $55 in October! (Regular adoption fees are $160 for kittens, $110 for adult cats.) All adoption fees include vaccinations, spay or neuter, microchip and vet exam.

Love is always better shared, doggone it - adopt a buddy at no cost ... or, for new homes, 50% off! Until the end of October, which is Adopt-A-Shelter Dog Month, anyone who has adopted from us in the past year (since September 2008) and has proof of adoption can adopt an adult dog or puppy at no cost. All adopters from the past year are eligible, including those who took home a bunny or cat. First-time adopters haven’t been forgotten: Also until the end of October, all new adopters can take home a dog or puppy for 50 percent off the regular adoption fees. Love is always better shared, so visit us today and meet your new best friend!

The Escondido Humane Society is at 3450 E. Valley Parkway, or visit us online at http://www.escondidohumanesociety.org/. Our Adoption Center is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week.

Petco adoption events

Looking for a new best friend? The Escondido Humane Society has lots of cats, bunnies and dogs who are looking for their new best friends, and we want to help you find each other! To do that, we will be having adoption fairs at the Escondido and San Marcos Petco stores on Nov. 7 and 8. The schedules for both stores are as followed:

Petco Escondido - Saturday, Nov. 7:

Cats and dogs will be featured from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Bunnies will be featured from noon to 3 p.m.


Petco San Marcos - Saturday, Nov. 7; Sunday, Nov. 8

Cats and dogs will be featured from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday

Cats will be featured again from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday

Bunnies will be featured from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday


* Please note: Cats and bunnies can be adopted on-site at both stores; dogs must be adopted at theEscondido Humane Society. And don't forget that our adoptable cats and bunnies are featured daily at the Escondido and San Marcos Petco stores.

The Escondido Petco is at 1000 W. Valley Parkway; the San Marcos store is at 141 S. Las Posas Road. For more information, please call the Escondido Humane Society at (760) 888-2247.

Best-selling author Richard Lederer is coming to EHS!

The Escondido Humane Society is proud to host best-selling author Richard Lederer for a book discussion and signing of his newest books, "A Treasury for Dog Lovers" and "A Treasury for Cat Lovers!" Richard Lederer is always entertaining and full of wit, so it is sure to be a wonderful afternoon of good company, good conversation and good books. A portion of the book sales will be donated to the Escondido Humane Society.

The book signing and discussion will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Nov. 21 at the Escondido Humane Society, 3450 E. Valley Parkway. R.S.V.P. required; call (760) 888-2242 to reserve your spot.

In “A Treasury for Dog Lovers” and “A Treasury for Cat Lovers,” published by Howard Books, a division of Simon & Schuster, Dr. Lederer celebrates the company of our furry companions with a collection of humor, witty word games and touching stories - all complemented by drawings. He documents the history of dogs and cats over the centuries and captures the very essence of what they do to light up of our lives.

About the author: Richard Lederer is the author of more than 30 books about language, history and humor, including his best-selling “Anguished English” series and “Presidential Trivia.” He has been profiled in magazines as diverse as The New Yorker, People and the National Enquirer and frequently appears on radio as a commentator on language. In October 2006, he retired as co-host of "A Way With Words" on KPBS, San Diego Public Radio. He lives in San Diego with his wife, Simone van Egeren.

Critter Kids Day is Saturday

Just a reminder that Critter Kids Day is this Saturday at the Escondido Humane Society! Girls and boys, ages 6 to 12, are invited to join us for a day of fun animal-related activities. The schedule is as follows:

9 a.m. – Insects: Some of the most exotic and strange insects in the world will be available for children to explore.

10 a.m. – Birds: Meet beautiful birds from around the world.

11 a.m. – Reptiles: Meet some scaly and slithery friends and learn what makes them different from other animals.

Noon – Little, Furry and Cute: Meet pocket pets, such as hamsters and guinea pigs.

1 p.m. – Meet a Vet: Learn what you need to know and do to become a veterinarian from special guest Dr. Knox.

1 p.m. – Animal Arts and Crafts/Mini tour: Make a craft to bring home, then take a mini tour of the shelter to learn about its programs and mission.

2 p.m. – Magic Show/Story teller: Watch magic tricks and listen to stories.

3 p.m. – Bunnies: Meet and greet some soft and cuddly bunnies.

Cost: One workshop is $8; two workshops are $6 each; three workshops or more are $5 each. Each workshop is 50 minutes, and registration is required. For more information and to register, call the Escondido Humane Society Education Department at (760) 888-2261.

Tails at Twilight a success!

Thank you to everyone who joined us Saturday for our Tails at Twilight gala! Nearly 200 people and some of their canine companions filled a sold-out room at Orfila Winery to raise funds for our animals. Everyone in attendance was treated to a live and silent auction, raffle, dinner and entertainment. Dogs were invited to the event for the first time, and some even came dressed to impress in their own tuxedos and bow ties!

To everyone who helped at Tails at Twilight – including guests, volunteers, vendors, sponsors and all who donated – thank you! Your support has truly made a difference in our animals' lives.

Second Chance Online Auction

Just because Tails at Twilight is over doesn't mean the fun and fundraising have to stop. We will be having a "Second Chance Online Auction" to help us raise more money for animals in need. Check our Web site, http://www.escondidohumanesociety.org/, in the coming days for details!

Tails at Twilight is tomorrow

Thank you to everyone who purchased tickets to our 16th annual Tails at Twilight gala! We look forward to seeing you tomorrow evening as we celebrate the season and the love shared between people and their pets in benefit of the lifesaving animal rescue efforts of the Escondido Humane Society.

It is sure to be a fun evening: Our VIP guests will receive an exclusive sWAG Bag - one lucky bag will contain a gold Tiffany bracelet! - and enjoy specialty wines and an auction preview. All guests will enjoy a hosted bar of Orfila wines and Stone Brewery beers, delectable dining, entertainment, and special shelter guests. Our live auction features many exciting items, including a trip for two to Paris, France — the City of Love — and a $1,000,000 Match Challenge!