Howl-O-Ween happenings

Louisianans don’t need much of an excuse to mask, party and parade. In Baton Rouge, holidays are a family affair, so costumes are de rigueur even for de pets. If your family and pet are all dressed up for Howl-O-Ween, here’s somewhere to go (and even win prizes) this weekend:

Petco’s photo-op and costume competition

On Saturday, Oct. 25 at 1 p.m., the Siegen Lane Petco offers pet photography with a Halloween background. Its costume competition begins at 2 p.m.

Pets & Pals

While Gustav forced its rescheduling from early September, this event now has all the hallmarks of a Howl-O-Ween hit: gourmet (dog) treats, tricks and costumes. With a little magic from CAAWS, 4-H Canine Connection, Heifer and a host of nonprofits and local vendors, this BREC’s pet fete features a frightening array of booths and activities including:

• Puppy painting to create paw-print greeting cards

• Owner look-alike and costume contests

• Doggy dash races

• Fetching contests

• Dog wash

• Pet photography by CAAWS

• Face painting for non-furry kids

• Spay/neuter education and referrals from East Baton Rouge Parish Animal Control

• Animal Encounters with Critters from the Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center

• Booths featuring Pet Jewelry, Gourmet Treats and Other Services

Pets & Pals takes place Sunday, Oct. 26, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Raising Cane’s Dog Park on Dalrymple. Admission is free. All pets must be up-to-date on shots and either be leashed or transported by carrier. For more information, call 272-9200.

Boo at the Zoo

While this costumed, trick-or-treating extravaganza is for two-legged Baton Rougeans only, it’s always a wild time. Last year, approximately 28,000 animal lovers went wild and enjoyed the zoo’s exotic animal collection and 850,000 pieces of candy. This Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., families can visit treat stations, take snapshots with a screech owl, Monty (the python) or other zoo animals and wander through the merry-not-scary Hay Maze and Boo Den. For more information, call 775-3877.

Click here for this week’s Animal Bytes.

Click here for this week’s Creature Feature.

Click here for this week’s City Lynx.