Countdown To Halloween: How To Be Trick-Or-Treat Kind + Accessible To All (Win!)

Halloween just got smarter—and a little kinder. Ellen Thompson, General Manager of Mars Wrigley Canada and its Minister of Trick-or-Treat for October, joins a a veterinarian from VCA Canada to unpack the 2025 Mars Spooktacular Trends Report—what’s driving this year’s adult-heavy Halloween, why accessibility still trips up hosts, and how to keep furry family members calm when the doorbell won’t stop dinging. In this Q&A they share practical tips for inclusive trick-or-treat setups, safe candy-passing strategies, and easy pet-friendly hacks so everyone—two-legged and four—can enjoy a spooky, stress-free season. —Noa Nichol

Ellen, why do you think Halloween has become such a grown-up moment again — and how can communities lean into that cultural shift while keeping it fun for kids?

You’ve touched on a great insight from Mars Canada’s 2025 Spooktacular Trends Report: Gen Z and Millennials with Halloween plans are more likely to trick-or-treat themselves (42%) than to hand out treats. Their celebrations tend to centre around socializing, whether that’s hosting friends (31%) or attending events like a Halloween party, carnivals or haunted houses (29%). As a lifelong Halloween lover myself, that really resonates with me — why would we want to give up an opportunity for fun and creativity?

We know nostalgia plays a big role with this generation. For many, Halloween offers a moment of happiness and a chance to reconnect with the magic they felt as kids. For communities, the opportunity lies in embracing that evolution, creating celebrations that bring everyone together, from families and neighbours to friend groups. Outdoor moving nights, treat swaps, or accessible trick-or-treat routes are great examples of ways to make the holiday feel even more inclusive, social and fun for all ages.  When everyone feels part of the celebration, Halloween becomes less about age and more about connection, creativity, and shared celebration.
 
Mars is donating thousands of pounds of candy and pet treats this year — how do you choose donation partners and what impact do you hope to see on local Halloween Villages?

At Mars, we believe the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. As a family-owned, global company, we see business as a force for good and look to partner with organizations where we can make a meaningful impact.  We’re inspired by Treat Accessibly and the movement they’ve built to make Halloween inclusive for all. Supporting them was a natural fit, Mars has the tools and the treats to help bring that vision life.  Our donation of 11,000+ pounds of candy and pet treats will help extend Treat Accessibly Halloween Villages across the country, creating more opportunities for families, neighbours, and pets to celebrate together.

This year also marks the first time pet treats (Pedigree for dogs and Temptations for Cats) will be part of the Halloween Villages. It’s a simple but powerful way to create a moment of happiness for Halloween and welcoming for every member of the family.
 
With 80% of hosts saying they’re not confident about accessibility, what are the quickest, most effective tweaks someone can make to their trick-or-treat setup to welcome kids and families with disabilities?

When it comes to making an impact for trick-or-treaters with disabilities, there are simple and quick adjustments Canadians can make to both where and how they engage with their community:
Work Around Staircases: While everyone’s home presents different challenges, placing your trick-or-treating station at the end of your driveway or garage – or “trunk-or-treating” out of your decorated vehicle – can make a big difference for those facing mobility barriers.

Communicate with Care: Not all disabilities are visible! As needed, speak slowly and calmly. You may also choose to pair verbal greetings with American Sign Language or provide descriptions of treats as they’re handed out to ensure different communication needs are considered.
Respect Differences: Remember that not all trick-or-treaters can say “Thank you” or wear costumes, and older trick-or-treaters can be just as excited about your treats. We all deserve to be a part of Halloween’s magic, no matter how we celebrate!

What’s a memorable Trick-or-Treat story you’ve experienced or heard that shaped how you approach inclusion or pet safety during Halloween?

In my role as General Manager at Mars Wrigley Canada, I spend a lot of my time thinking about how our treats inspire moments of happiness, but some of my most meaningful lessons have come from home. Our dog, Sirius, get nervous on Halloween walks when we pass houses filled with inflatables or unexpected sounds. For him, it’s not the decorations themselves but the sudden unfamiliar noises in what’s normally a calm and friendly space. It’s a small reminder that while Halloween is meant to be fun, not every member of the family experiences it the same way. That perspective has shaped how I think inclusion and pet safety, helping ensure everyone, pets included, can enjoy the celebration comfortably and positively.
 
For organizers planning a Halloween Village or inclusive event, what practical resources or checklists should they use to get started?

Treat Accessibly’s How-to page is a great starting point for those looking to make their Halloween celebrations more inclusive, featuring easy-to-follow tips from the organization’s expert community as well as from VCA Canada, proudly part of Mars.

How can neighbours and hosts balance spooky sound and lighting effects with sensory-friendly options for kids and adults who might find Halloween overwhelming?

Neighbours and hosts can strike the right balance by using clear signage to signal what to expect (“Sensory-Friendly Stop” or “High Sensory Ahead”), helping families make informed choices and reducing surprises. Simple adjustments — like lowering sound levels, swapping flashing lights for soft shifting colours, and opting for subtle effects over jump scares — preserve the spooky fun while keeping it comfortable for everyone.

At the community level, even small initiatives make a difference: setting aside “quiet trick-or-treating hours,” offering non-food treats for those with allergies or sensory sensitivities, or creating calm zones during events where participants can take a break. When we build in options like these, Halloween becomes a celebration that truly welcomes everyone, without losing any of its magic.

Quick-fire tip: share one no-fuss hack to make Halloween more inclusive, and one pet-safety hack that every household should do before trick-or-treating begins.

No-fuss Halloween Hack from Ellen Thompson, General Manager and Minister of Trick-or-Treat, Mars Wrigley Canada: One of the easiest ways to make Halloween more inclusive is to move your treat station to the end of your driveway or set it up on a small table near the sidewalk. It removes barriers like stairs or steep walkways, making it easier for those using mobility devices to participate in the fun.
Pet Safety Hack (Must-Do) from Dr. Sebastien Kfoury, spokesperson for VCA Canada Animal Hospitals: Before trick-or-treaters start arriving, secure your pets in a quiet room with soft background noise, like a TV or fan. It keeps them calm, prevents accidental escapes, and reduces stress from the constant doorbell and costumes — a small precaution that makes a big difference for their safety and comfort.

Answers attributed to: Dr. Sebastien Kfoury, spokesperson for VCA Canada Animal Hospitals:
 
What are the top three simple steps families can take at home to keep nervous dogs and cats calm during Halloween chaos?

Watch for Overstimulation: The sights and sounds of Halloween can be overwhelming for some pets, so creating a quiet, secure area during trick-or-treating helps them feel safe and comfortable.

Trial Sounds & Costumes Ahead of Time: Play doorbell or firework sounds at low volume beforehand to help pets adjust to the noises. You can also let pets explore costumes in advance, encouraging gentle interactions, especially with masks or face paint.

Be Mindful of Your Environment: As Halloween approaches, it’s also important to keep all candy out of pets’ reach. Quickly cleaning up any dropped candy or wrappers helps keep pets safe.

How should parents create a “pet-safe oasis” indoors on Halloween night, and what warning signs mean it’s time to call a vet?

To create a pet-safe oasis and prevent escape during the busy night, pet parents should consider:

Calm Retreat Areas: Keep the pet in a secure, quiet room away from the front door during peak trick-or-treating hours, especially since the constant doorbell ringing and strangers in costumes can be overwhelming. This also prevents escape when the door is frequently opened.

Noise Dampening: Help the pet feel safe by turning on the TV, playing calming music, or running a fan or white noise machine to dull the sound of the doorbell and exuberant visitors.

Hazard Removal: Keep all candy out of reach, as chocolate and sugar-free candies containing xylitol are toxic. Decorations should also be pet-safe: swap real candles in jack-o’-lanterns for battery-powered lights to remove fire/burn risks, and ensure wires/cords are inaccessible.

If you suspect your dog or cat has eaten chocolate or candy, or if you notice any signs of distress or toxicity such as vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination or difficulty breathing, call your veterinarian right away.
 
What costume, decoration or treat trends this year are unexpectedly problematic for pets or safety — and what are safe, spooky alternatives?

For additional Halloween pet safety tips check out https://vcacanada.com/know-your-pet/halloween-safety-for-pets
 
Note: VCA Animal Hospitals’ information does not replace veterinary advice or the doctor/client/patient relationship. For pet health concerns or emergencies, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Win! A Mars X Pedigree Halloween Prize Pack!

Congrats Kendall F. of Barrie, ON, who will receive a Mars X Pedigree Halloween Prize Pack full of human and pet treats!

As doorsteps transform into frightfully fun scenes, Mars – a family-owned, global leader in snacking, pet care and food, including brands like M&M’S®, SNICKERS®, Ben’s Original™, PEDIGREE®, TEMPTATIONS™, and VCA™  – is on a mission to make Halloween 2025 a howling good time for people and pets alike by championing an inclusive holiday that welcomes everyone.

This unique Treats for All box features Mars treats for humans and pets, as well as accessible Braille text, delighting and educating trick-or-treat hosts of all abilities. Treat your neighbourhood & their pets to these delicious Mars favourites, and don’t forget to try a few of the inclusive trick-or-treating tips noted inside!

Please note: if you are the winner, you will receive a DM (direct message) in Instagram directly from @vitadailymedia. Please be wary of fake accounts, which often use similar handles with an extra or missing letter, number or symbol. We will never ask for a payment or for your credit card number, and we will never ask you to click through a link. If you are unsure whether you have been contacted, via Instagram, by us or a fake account, email us before responding.