Animal News

Dallas animal shelter alerts pet owners about dangers of Halloween

Halloween is the second-worst day of the year for pets.

Photo courtesy of Huffhines Art Trails

Halloween is great for candy and costumes, but according to Dallas' animal shelter, it's the second-worst day of the year for pets.

With all of the trick or treating going on, it's the second most common day for pets to get lost. (The worst day for pets: Fourth of July.)

Dallas Animal Services anticipates that 400 dogs may get loose by the end of the weekend, due to Halloween activities.

"Halloween is a fun time for humans, but can be terrifying for pets," says Jordan Craig, Interim Assistant Director at Dallas Animal Services in a release. "Their human companions are dressed in scary costumes, there are noisy decorations, and trick or treating gives nervous pets plenty of opportunities to run out the door to escape the scary situation."

Shelter officials recommend that pet owners keep their pets in a crate or in a separate room away from festivities, humans in costumes, and the front door.

If pets cannot be indoors, pet owners should check their fence to make sure it is secure, and check frequently on their pets throughout the evening.

Dallas Animal Services is already over capacity for adoptable medium and large dogs. If 400 more do arrive, they have a problem.

As a result, DAS is putting out a call for adopters and temporary fosters, to avoid euthanizing healthy and friendly dogs due to limited space.

The shelter is offering a free adoption special through Sunday on all pets at the main location at 1818 N. Westmoreland Rd., or the PetSmart Everyday Adoption Center at 16821 N. Coit Rd.

Potential adopters can visit www.dallasanimalservices.org to see photos of available pets. A valid government ID is required to adopt a pet. Free adoption includes spay/neuter surgery, current vaccinations, microchipping, and more.

DAS Director Ed Jamison says they're trying to be open and honest about the situation, so they can save lives.

"That is why we are pleading to the community for help," Jamison says. More dogs are coming into the shelter than leaving and we are out of kennel space. If you’ve been considering adopting or fostering, now is the time. We need the community's help to give these dogs the second chance they deserve."

DAS' foster program has also been a lifesaver. They're hosting a foster orientation on Sunday, November 3 at 11 am, but will give a one-on-one orientation for those who can attend sooner. DAS covers all medical care for foster animals and provides foster parents with other supplies as available.

For more information contact the DAS main location and adoption center at dasadopt@dallascityhall.com or 214-670-6800.

pets

E-Cigarette News

Dallas City Council places restrictions on vaping in public

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Man vaping

Vaping will now be banned exactly like smoking, thanks to a new ordinance from the Dallas City Council.

At their December 11 meeting, the council passed an ordinance to ban vaping in all the same areas where smoking is not allowed. It'll go into effect on December 11, 2025 — giving everyone a year to get into compliance.

Proposed by City of Dallas Environmental Commission (EVC) and the Office of Environmental Quality and Sustainability (OEQS), the ordinance amends the definition of “smoking” in the Dallas City Code to include the use of vaping devices.

The ordinance does not ban vaping — it only bans where you can vape: no vaping in all indoor and enclosed spaces; within 15 feet of building entrances; and on park property. The ordinance also bans marijuana smoking in those same places.

In addition, the amendment requires restaurants, hotels, fitness centers and other businesses to update their signage to clearly state that both smoking and electronic smoking devices are prohibited.

The ordinance already earned widespread support from health organizations such as the Dallas County Health and Human Services, the American Lung Association, and the American Heart Association. These organizations, along with the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the U.S. Surgeon General, have all raised concerns about the health risks of direct and second-hand exposure to vaping aerosols, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children and older adults.

Dallas is not the first city to impose such a ban: San Antonio enacted a similar ban in October. Theirs goes into effect on January 1, 2025.

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