JSPCA PRESS RELEASE

October 2006  

FIREWORKS - HELP TO PROTECT YOUR PET

Fireworks can seriously, even fatally, injure both animals and people.  Only responsible adults should handle fireworks and fireworks should NEVER be let off near animals.

Fireworks cause problems for a large number of different animals: wild birds that may panic and hence blindly fly into objects causing injury to themselves; dogs and cats often find the loud bangs and strange flashes of light very frightening and horses and farm animals may bolt and hurt themselves as a result of the noise.

Therefore, please remember that as Halloween, Bonfire Night, Christmas and New Year approach, to protect your pet when fireworks are around. 

Cats:

   Keep your cat indoors

   Close your curtains and windows and switching on the radio or television may help to mask the noise

   Make sure your cat is identified, either by a microchip, or a collar and disc, so that it can be returned to you if it escapes and becomes lost

Dogs:

   Exercise your dog during the day, when there is less likely to be any fireworks

   Never walk your dog whilst there are fireworks being let off

   Close your curtains and windows and switching on the radio or television may help to mask the noise

   Make sure your dog is identified, either by a microchip, or by a collar and disc, in case the dog bolts away from you and becomes lost

Small animals:

   Small animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs can also become very distressed from loud noises

   Bring small animals indoors or into an outhouse or garden shed to offer them extra protection

Horses:

   Horses often bolt from firework noise and can injure themselves

   Always make sure horse, ponies and donkeys are stabled while fireworks are being let off

   Close the stable door to ensure that the fireworks can not be seen

Bonfires can also cause problems for wild animals, such as hedgehogs, which can crawl into them in search of a place to sleep.  To minimise this risk, build bonfires as late as possible and make sure that you disturb the foundations of the bonfire before it is lit, so that any sleeping wildlife is given the chance to escape.

Please be sensible and responsible - never let fireworks off in the presence of pets or other animals.

ENDS