Posted: Sun 23rd Oct 2016

Fireworks Frighten Animals – Help Them Feel Safe

This article is old - Published: Sunday, Oct 23rd, 2016

RSPCA Cymru is issuing advice for pet owners in the run up to bonfire night. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Sadly it is not just companion animals that are affected by fireworks. Farm animals also can be easily frightened by loud noises and sudden flashes of bright light, which can startle them and cause them to injure themselves on fencing, farm equipment or, in the case of housed animals, on fixtures and fittings within the house. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

It is also likely that fireworks will cause a disturbance to wild animals such as waterfowl and is likely to cause suffering or distress, depending on the distance from the fireworks and the noise level. Further, wildlife can be burnt alive after making their home in bonfires. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Lisa Richards, RSPCA welfare expert, said: “Countless pet owners will be dreading the run up to bonfire night because of the distress it causes to their animals. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“But there are ways to help your pets learn to be less afraid of loud noises. Planning ahead and speaking to your vet about the options available is a great start. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Firework phobia is a treatable condition, pets do not have to suffer in misery every year. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“There are also some simple things worried owners can do to help their pets cope, including, making sure dogs and cats are indoors when fireworks are likely to be set off,that they’re microchipped incase they do escape, trying to mask the noise of the fireworks by turning on the TV or music, and providing pets with a safe place to hide at all times. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Small animals that live outside should have lots of extra bedding so they can burrow and some of their enclosure could be covered by a blanket for extra insulation and sound-proofing.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

RSPCA Cymru along with South Wales Fire and Rescue Service is urging pet owners to keep their cats and dogs safe indoors when fireworks are likely to be set off to prevent injury or escape. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Matt Jones, Head of Fire Crime at South Wales Fire and Rescue Service commented: “We understand that fireworks are an exciting addition to Halloween and Bonfire celebrations, but we ask people to be aware of the risks involved. We encourage our communities to attend organised displays at local venues and to not be tempted to buy fireworks from friends or colleagues over a reputable retailer, these illegal fireworks pose a danger to you and your family, as well as potentially your home. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We ask our communities to avoid placing their rubbish outside the night before collection to reduce deliberate refuse fires and to report any suspicious activity to the Police on 101. Fireworks can also cause concern for our pets, so we hope our communities follow the advice of experts like RSPCA Cymru to keep their animals safe during this period.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

RSPCA Cymru is also asking organisers of firework events to be vigilant and give plenty of notice to people in the area. We would also ask for organisers to show some consideration and not let off any fireworks too close to places where animals are – for example farm animals or zoos. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Wildlife can also be burned to death by bonfires so organisers should check them before lighting to make sure there are no wild animals using them as a hiding place. It helps to build the bonfire by hand and as near as possible to the time of lighting, to ensure hedgehogs and other wildlife are not sleeping in the pile when it is lit. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Sky lanterns can also be popular at this time of year, but can harm wildlife, livestock and other animals by causing injuries that lead to suffering and a slow painful death. RSPCA Cymru strongly advises against their use and recommends that harmless alternatives are sought to prevent injury, suffering and fatality of animals. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​



Spotted something? Got a story? Email News@News.Wales



More from RSPCA

Cat Rescued Seven Metres Up A Treorchy Tree

RSPCA

Drone Aids Dramatic Rescue Of Chihuahua Trapped Down Mountain Hole For FIVE DAYS

RSPCA

“Please Sir, Can We Have A Home?” – Charles Dickens Cats Seek North Wales Forever Home

RSPCA

919 Gram Otter Cub Hand-Reared By RSPCA Officer As Part Of Amazing Recovery

RSPCA

Llanelli Pair Given Suspended Prison Sentences And Animal Ban After Pony Cruelty Video Posted Online

RSPCA

Ely Cat Shot As RSPCA Inspector Investigates Second Incident In Matter Of Days

RSPCA

Latest from News.Wales

Pembrokeshire poised for transformative economic opportunity

Pembrokeshire Council

Daughter Fears Mother’s Move as Care Home Faces Closure

Rhondda Council

Community Councillors Save Fireworks Display in Swansea Valley by Intervening

Swansea Council

Lidl’s Plan to Demolish and Rebuild Pembrokeshire Store Expected to Receive Approval

Pembrokeshire Council

Nearly 7,000 People Waiting for Council House in Vale of Glamorgan

Vale of Glamorgan Council

Delay in Neath Port Talbot Council’s Plan to Bring Leisure Services In-House

Neath Port Talbot Council