The Jacksonville Humane Society (JHS), a non-profit animal welfare and education organization, is encouraging families to ensure their pets are safe this Halloween.

“Many pets get sick or go missing during holidays like Halloween,” said Denise Deisler, JHS executive director.  “It is important that families keep their pets in a comfortable, safe place, especially during parties and trick-or-treating.”

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- In Amanda and Mark Searle's backyard, the chickens do a lot of the work. 

The hens eat most of the insects that venture onto the property and along with the three goats, they keep the grass trimmed and thriving. 

The animals also provide food for the couple.   The chickens lay about eight eggs each day.  The goats produce milk, which Amanda Searle also uses to make cheese. 

The Searles are one of a number of families in the Springfield area of Jacksonville that have created their own urban oasis by running a small farm literally in their own backyard. 

"More and more people are just concerned with rising food costs [and] what's in their food, " explained Amanda Searle.  "The eggs and the milk that you get are way more nutritious than anything you get from an Agra-business or something from the grocery store.  So, it has to do with health and nutrition too."