Halloween's Effect on Animals and the Environment

    One of the best parts of Halloween is seeing your neighbors’ lawn decorations, whether it be a large inflatable or a cute sign. Unfortunately, items such as cobwebs or other tangly materials can be hazardous for animals that may inadvertently find themselves entwined in them, unable to escape. This is especially true for smaller, flying creatures who may not be as strong, such as birds or bats. Although materials such as synthetic cobwebs are always a danger, it doesn’t mean you should automatically trash them. There is a way to make them safer by checking them regularly (at least twice per day, one in the morning and one at night). Still, it can be very easy for these animals to quickly choke themselves if netting were to go around their heads. This also goes for all other decorations that use netting materials, have medium to large holes in them, and/or tangle easily, such as wire lights. When using wire lights, it is best to keep them out of reach from animals, mainly ones like deers, elk, or others with antlers as they may get them caught. Not only might they get electrocuted, but the bright bulbs may cause disorientation. Even if they can escape the bright bulbs, they may still be spooked and generate a commotion between the rest of their animal group. 

Our wildlife shouldn’t be our only worry, though, as indoor pets face similar concerns. Along with the fear of electrocution, lit candles can be just as dangerous if your pet accidentally catches fire. An easy way to ensure this doesn’t happen is using candle cases, either with a top or ones long enough that your pet won’t be able to reach over and touch the fire. Candle covers look interesting and can protect your pets from harm. Glow sticks should also be out of your pets´ reach as they may attempt to bite or eat them. They are only mildly dangerous, but our critters may find the liquid irritating their skin, eyes, ears or nose. This happens most in cats, who are notorious for their constant self-grooming patterns. If you notice concerning behaviors, a good source for help is the Pet Poison Helpline. While humans should absolutely be dressing up as the cutest of fairies and the scariest of witches, we need to be a little more careful with our pets. They might look just as cute as humans (or sometimes even cuter!), but they may not enjoy it as much. Before picking out a costume, go through this list so your pet will be safe and happy as you are. If they are struggling to move, breathe, see, or hear, search for more liberating costumes. If the costume has anything that could choke them or accidentally hang them, ensure to remove it or choose a different, safer costume. Liberating costumes---ones with wide holes for each body part, that don’t block any of their senses or nose, and are lightweight so that your animals can move around--are the best choice if we want to keep our animals both safe and adorably spooky! 

Not only can animals be harmed by unsafe practices, but our surrounding environments can also suffer the consequences. A lot of Halloween costumes, most commonly ones made from large producers, are made cheaply and use materials that are not to be reused. Unfortunately, a lot of the costumes will be trashed or never again used by the buyer due to these factors. Ones made out of materials such as plastic or other non-recyclables (or items that are not easy to recycle) contribute to a large portion of Halloween-made waste. Buying sturdy, reusable outfits are the best way to reduce excess scrap. This is true for decor as well.

Overall, Halloween is an exciting holiday for both the young and the old, but if we don’t do it safely, it won’t be fun for our animals or our environment.

Works Cited

Bajaj, Naman. “The Scariest Thing About Halloween Costumes is Their Environmental Impact.” COMMONS, 3 Oct. 2023, https://www.thecommons.earth/blog/the-scariest-thing-about-halloween-costumes-is-their-environmental-impact. 

“Glow Jewelry Are Toxic To Pets.” Pet Poison Helpline, 8, April, 2022,  https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/poison/glow-jewelry/. 

“Halloween pet safety.” American Veterinary Medical Association, 26, October, 2021, https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/halloween-pet-safety.

Wildcare, Discover. “Keep Halloween Safe For Wildlife.” Wildcare, 4, October, 2023, https://discoverwildcare.org/keep-halloween-safe-for-wildlife-copy.