Halloween night costumed goblins make fun traipsing up and down neighborhood streets demanding candy and dispensing tricks to unsuspecting victims.

Unfortunately, sometimes those victims are the family cat and unsuspecting strays.

In Medieval times cats were associated with evil and their mere presence frightened people; today All Hallowed Eve has become a deadly time for cats.
Intentional cruelty to cats occurs every day of the year, but around the end of October incidences tend to increase, as do unexplained disappearances of cats.

Any cat can become a victim, but at most risk of being sacrificed by cults

are black, white, black and white or dark tortoiseshells.

Across the country animal shelters and humane groups refuse to adopt black cats during the month of October. Most people are aware of the Halloween threat, but other sacrificial days observed by cults are: February 2, April 30 and August 1 and the days of the changing of the seasons. While there is occult abuse of cats, most Halloween abuse occurs at the hands of kids and some adults with a demented definition of fun.

Dr. Patricia Hague, owner of lead veterinarian of the Cat Hospital of Las Colinas in Irving, Texas said in the past she has treated a cat with an arrow shot through its head. Another had a dart in its eye.

“Both cats survived,” she said. “I don’t see much of this, but I suspect that is because the animal dies and the body is never found.”

Nancy Peterson, issues specialist in the companion animal division of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), said bring all cats inside at least one week before Halloween.

To acclimate slightly outdoor cats to living inside bring them at night for a few days. After a few nights indoor, it’s time to bring him inside 24/7 for a while. Check out www.safecats.org, for tips to help transition your cat to an indoor lifestyle.

And hey, as long as he’s been in for a week or two, why don’t you keep him inside permanently where he’s safe from evil people, cars and predators? After all, HSUS recommends cats live an indoor lifestyle, or that they be strictly supervised when outside.

Peterson said make sure your cat wears identification. On Halloween night keep your cats away from open doors.

While you are passing out candy, kitty may dart through an open door and into the hands of someone with an agenda or into the oncoming path of a car.

But Halloween dangers lurks other places besides in the hands of strangers. Sometimes we are our pets’ own worst enemy, even when we just want to have a little fun. Feeding our pets the wrong treat or being careless with wrappers can be just as deadly as the wrath of a stranger. And chocolates are a definite no-no.

According to ASPCA/Animal Poison Control Center, chocolate can be deadly. Milk chocolate can affect a cat or dog like an overdose of amphetamines. Dark baker’s chocolate is even more dangerous.

Chocolate contains a toxic substance called theobromine, which neither feline nor canine livers can metabolize. It causes vomiting, restlessness, heart disturbances and even death; although chocolate is a more serious danger to dogs because of their sweet tooth, it can kill cats or make them seriously ill.

Be conscious of where your children leave their candy and wrapper. Hard candy can choke your pet and wrappers can block intestines. Instead, be safe and offer your cat treats only made specifically him.

If you suspect that your pet has ingested chocolate, or any other toxic substance, call the ASPCA/Animal Poison Control Center. It’s your best resource for any animal poison-related emergency 24/7, 365 days a year.

You can reach them at 888-426-4435.

A $55 consultation fee may be applied to your credit card.

Here are some tips to make sure your pets enjoy a safe night of tricks and treats:

• Bring all cats inside at least one week before Halloween.  All black, all white and mixed black and white cats are especially at risk during this occult celebration.  (Acclimate outdoor cats to the house a few days prior to total confinement by keeping them in at night.)
  
  
• Under no circumstance should pets be left outside on Halloween night. Even dogs in an enclosed fence could suffer at the hands of a malicious prankster.
  
  
• Halloween night keep all pets away from doors. 
  
  
• Forget about walking the dog on Halloween night.  Your pup doesn’t know that that monster latex monster mask is really the kid next door. (The incidents of dog bites increase dramatically on Halloween.)
  
  
• Don't feed either cats or dogs candy, especially chocolate because they can’t metabolize it; chocolate can kill or make them seriously ill. 
  
  
• Be conscious of where your children leave their candy and wrapper. Hard candy can choke and wrappers can block your pet’s intestines.
  
  
• Make sure pets have identification just in case they get out.