5 pet parades coming to the Capital Region

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- As Halloween is approaching fast, families are creating and buying the best costumes for their children. But what about their pets?

In the Capital Region, local communities and organizations have said pets deserve to get dressed up and trick-or-treat too. Here are five different Halloween costume pet parades, costume contests or trick-or-treating events specifically for your four-legged friends.

Halloween Extravaganza, 1 Bayberry Drive, Ballston Spa, Oct. 19

Malta's Halloween Extravaganza will feature activities for the whole family, pets included. Starting at 1 p.m. at the Malta Town Hall, the event will begin with a kid's costume parade with truck-or-treating along the way to the Malta Community Center. Then at 2 p.m., dogs can show off their Halloween costumes in a dog costume parade. Prizes will be awarded for the top three costumes, and each dog will receive a doggie goodie bag.

Registration is required for both children and pets. For the pet parade, the registration fee is $2 for Malta residents and $3 for non-residents. To register, visit the Malta Parks and Recreation website.

Hounds of Halloween, Downtown Albany, Oct. 19

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the fun-filled dog trick-or-treating and costume contest event, will return to downtown Albany with over 20 participating businesses. The Canine Costume Contest first, second, and third place winners will be determined by public voting on Facebook, with winners getting gift cards, tickets to the event next year and a chance to be featured in next year's artwork.

Tickets must be bought for each dog participating in Hounds of Halloween on the downtown Albany website. They can also be bought the day of the event in the Quackenbush Square courtyard next to the Olde English Pub and Pantry for an extra $5.

Dogtober at Troy Night Out, Downtown Troy, Oct. 25

The streets of Downtown Troy will come alive with wagging tails during Troy's Night Out. Dogtober welcomes dogs for a trick-or-treating event and a costume contest for all sizes and shapes. The event will also feature a variety of vendors around Monument Square offering treats, accessories, services and information to keep your pets healthy and happy.

The event will take place from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. There is no registration sign up or fee to attend.

Truck of Treat at Blackthorne, with dog costume parade and contest, 348 Sunside Road, East Durham, Oct. 26

Starting at 1 p.m., Blackthorne Resort, 348 Sunside Road in East Durham, will host a truck-or-treating event with a special Howl-ween pet costume contest. The parade will begin at 2 p.m. and prizes will be given out to the best dressed pet.

The event is a free event and will feature additional activities for the whole family. Crafts, pumpkin painting and games will be available for both children and their pets.

Howl-O-Ween Pet Parade, Main Street, Catskill, Oct. 26

Hosted by the Greene County Animal Alliance, the parade, starting at noon, welcomes all species of pets, not just dogs, and their owners, dressed up in their Halloween costumes. All pets, however, are expected to participate peacefully with other pets. If a family doesn't have a pet, they are welcome to join the parade with stuffed animals, but single adults cannot participate.

Participants should register their animals online for $5 per pet, and check-in at Park for Paws at 11 a.m. Last minute participants can register the day of the event at Park for Paws as well. All pets must be leashed and cleaned up after.