How to Keep Your Animal Companions Safe During Firework Displays

To dogs, cats, and other animals, fireworks can seem more like World War III than a joyous celebration. Noisy displays are frightening to them because they don’t realise that the explosions are for entertainment, rather than signs of danger.

Animal shelters nationwide report an increase in the number of lost animal companions after such events. Many animals panic and jump over fences or break chains when they hear the cracks and booms in the sky, and some even jump through glass windows in order to get away from the terrifying sounds. Some are reunited with their families, but others are never found. Many dogs and other animals are taken to shelters with their paws bloodied from running or their skin torn from breaking through wooden fences, among other serious injuries. Some are hit by cars or killed in other accidents as they flee.

Here are a few precautions that you can take to ensure the comfort and safety of animal companions during firework displays:

• Keep cats and dogs inside – and, if possible, stay with them.
• Leave your animals at home during the celebrations – don’t take them with you to watch fireworks!
• Never leave animals tethered or chained up outside, as they can hang themselves if they leap over a fence while trying to run from the noise.
• Close your windows and curtains. Turn on a radio that’s tuned to a classical-music station or switch on the TV to help drown out the sound of the bangs.
• Make sure that your animal companion is wearing a collar or a harness with an up-to-date identification tag – just in case.

It is up to us to keep our animal companions calm and comfortable. Follow the above suggestions to make your dog or cat feel safe and secure on Guy Fawkes Night, New Years or other events, and share these tips with your friends and family, too!