Pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns are a classic part of Halloween, and many of us have some outside our home as part of the seasonal decor. But when those last trick or treaters have left and Halloween ends, what do you do with them?
No one wants to see their pumpkins rot away on their lawns, but thankfully there are ways to recycle your old gourds, and make some hungry animals happy in the process.
Feed your pumpkins to wildlife
Pumpkins aren’t just fall decorations — they’re quite tasty and nutritious, and make a perfect snack for your local wildlife once you decide to discard them. Squirrels, raccoons and deer will happily nosh on some pumpkin, as will birds and insects.
If you want to feed your leftover pumpkins to the animals, it’s crucially important to remove any decorations in the jack-o-lantern that might be harmful to wildlife. If you lit a candle inside, make sure to remove it and any leftover wax. Glitter, glue, paint, etc should also be removed.
Then, cut your pumpkin into chunks and leave them outside in a secluded spot, away from any roads. In time, animals will come picking.
You can also feed pumpkin to any animals you have at home. Pumpkin is safe for dogs, and is found in many dog foods, just avoid feeding them the stem or leaves. Pumpkin can also be fed to livestock in moderation — again, just make sure no non-edible decorations end up in their food.
Pumpkin seeds also make a great snack for birds, if you have any leftover from your scooped-out jack-o-lantern.
Donating pumpkins
If you don’t have any hungry animals around your house, you might also consider donating pumpkins to your local animal farm, zoo or sanctuary.
Pumpkins for Pigs is one charity dedicated to reducing food waste by redirecting pumpkins to animals: according to their site, they have diverted 800 tons of food that would’ve ended up in landfills. You can use their website to find registered farms and sanctuaries who will take your old pumpkins.
You can also contact your favorite local shelter or farm to see if they are accepting donations for their animals.
Sometimes pumpkins can bring unexpected joy to animals in need. Last year, a couple donated their massive 465-pound pumpkin to a pair of orphaned bear cubs in the care of the San Diego Humane Society, and it became their favorite plaything.
Pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns are such a joy to have around the house during Halloween, but it’s a shame to let them go to waste! Giving them a second life as food for animals is a great way to recycle them and make some animals happy! 🎃
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