COUNTRY, Missouri: Did you know that nearly 7.5 million households will be dressing up their pets alongside their kids for Halloween, spending nearly two billion dollars in the process?. Yep, Halloween for pets is big business.
According to the National Retail Federation (NRF) 2007 Halloween Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, consumers will spend at least $1.82 billion on Halloween costumes for children and pets this year. It gives a new meaning to old Halloween song:
"Trick or treat, smell my feet. Give me something good to eat.
If you don't, I won't be sad. I'll just make you wish you had!"
Halloween is upon us, and like every year children of all ages will be donning their new costumes and trick-or-treating the neighborhood. However in recent years there has been one difference - pets are now joining in the fun with some of the newest, cutest and most interesting costumes.
For pets really looking to get into the Halloween spirit (no pun intended), one event stands out - the Country Acres Rescue Howl & Yowl Fall Festival. Now in its second year, this not-for-profit festival is all about fun. Founders Nicole and Greg Thompson parade rescued animals (wearing full Halloween costumes) on the catwalk, with the purpose of finding loving homes for these fully-rehabilitated pets.
Nicole Thompson told the West County Journal that she came up with the festival by simply combining her love of Halloween and of rescuing animals.
The top Halloween pet costumes for this year :
- 1. Devil
- 2. Pumpkin
- 3. Witch
- 4. Princess
- 5. Angel
- 6. Pirate
- 7. Hot dog
- 8. Bat
- 9. Black cat
- 10. Clown
Source: KansasCity.com
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"I have always loved and looked forward to Halloween," Nicole said. "I was always excited about the costume that I will be wearing. My other passion is in rescuing abandoned animals. I decided to just combine the two and came up with this fun celebration. My rescued animals will be in full costume and are ready for adoption," she said.
This year's the event has been extended over two days to accommodate the crowds - last years' celebration attracted more than 500 fans. With categories including 'best pet-person duo', 'scariest', 'cutest', 'funniest' and 'most original costume', this year's event seems set to be the most successful and enjoyable yet.
However, while putting pets into Halloween costumes can be a lot of fun, it doesn't hurt to keep a couple of important safety tips in mind.
"Pet costumes are becoming more and more popular but people should use a little common sense when putting these on their pets," Dr. Lorraine Corriveau, wellness veterinarian at Purdue University's School of Veterinary Medicine told the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.
"People should make sure that these costumes are not in any way restricting the natural movements or breathing of their pets. As much as possible, rubber bands should also not be used to secure the costumes as this can become painful for the animal."
Its also a good idea to keep Halloween treats, especially chocolate, away from your pets. Cocoa in large quantities can be highly toxic, especially for dogs and cats. Jack-o-lanterns containing lit candles can also be dangerous, as they can singe or burn your pets body or costume.
One things for sure: with more and more pets getting into the Halloween spirit, trick or treating will never be the same again!
Happy Halloween!
I once dressed my cat as Cleopatra, complete with the wig and all. Oh gosh, my cat looked like she would scratch me to death! She looked so elegant, i loved it!
i wud lyk to see a grup of pets in spice grls costume!! lol..
it is so cute to see pets in costumes. they look so funny and adorable. when i let my pets wear clothes, i always make sure that they're comfortable. i especially let them wear clothes when it's cold.
I just love the idea of a hotdog costume. It's really perfect for long dogs like dachshunds and basset hounds. It would be perfect if there could be makeshift mayonnaise and ketchup attached to their bodies. I would love to dress my dogs up but there is no need since i always stay at home. Doggies in costumes do keep me entertained all the time.
I dressed my 2 cats as bunnies. the costume came with bunny ears and all. i loved it but they hated it! lol!
Yeah.. pets in halloween costumes are sooooo cute *rolls eyes*
I have an english bulldog. Last halloween, i thought of dressin' him up like the pic in a petshed article the most beautiful bulldog. here - www.petshed.com/articles/worlds-most-beautiful-bulldog.html i wanted to find a pink wig for him and the silly lookin shades. i was not successful. Drat! next year i'll have it custom made.
you should have seen the streets of new york! People parading their pets in every costume imaginable! gotta admit that it was quite amusing to look at.
i didnt thnk a guy wud go to so much effort to dress his dog on haloween.. so cute..
i dressed up my toy poodle to look like an angel coz she really looks like an angel. she had a white dress and small cotton wings. she looked so cute and adorable!
Why stop at dressing up just dogs? Next Halloween I strongly suggest we dress up all our animals, including the farm animals! Am sure the pig would look nice with wings and headdress and all.
it's much harder to put a costume on a cat than a dog. i got scratched quite a few times while dressing my kitty although in the end, it was really worth it. she looked so cute! lol
The only time i would dress up my cat is when my girl does it. It would never come from me. dressing up your pet is a girl thing. besides, there aren't 'manly' costumes fit for cats.
there are manly costumes for pets! what about spiderman? or batman? aren't those manly enough for you? lol!
Big horse fan here. Apparently, some people dress their horses up and there's some sorta costume competition for horses. lol! it would sure be funny to see these big guys in costumes!
i admit i am a purist especially when it comes to my dogs. i do not really like seeing pets in costumes. i feel like it's very uncomfortable for them and even if i did like seeing it on them, i have a big dog and so far, i have yet to see a pet costume that would fit them.
i can't believe that there are nearly 7.5 million households who dressed up their beloved pets last halloween! it's just amazing how these people actually love their pets so much and it shows in how they treat their pets!
well xmas is coming.. let us try not to dress our pets this time around.. i mean really, i think pet costumes are well, not essential. i guess if it makes you happy cool but i think its rather weird.
I aint dressin my dog no silly costume, humanize is what i call it and people who derive joy from such things need to see a shrink
Somehow it seems ridiculous to dress up cats in costumes. First off, they are not like dogs who you can parade in the streets. Cats need to be in carriers. What's the costume for right?
I used to think people were crazy to dress up their dog... until I got one. Now I can't help up to dress her up.. she was a skeleton for halloween and she has a sweater for christmas, she loves it!
next Halloween, i'm gonna dress up my dog as a........dog!