JSPCA PRESS RELEASE

October 2005  

PROTECT YOUR PETS DURING THE FORTH-COMING FIREWORK FESTIVITIES

Every year fireworks cause much distress to a variety of different animals, both domestic pets and wildlife, resulting in many animals suffering: wild birds may panic with the result of flying blindly 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.

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

Animals have very acute hearing and the loud bangs and high-pitched whistles may cause them actual pain in their ears.  Every year veterinary practices see owners approaching them for mediations to calm their animals during this very stressful period and many animals can run away from home during this fearful time.

With the lack of restrictions on firework use in Jersey, please remember that as Halloween, Bonfire night, Christmas and New Year approach, to take measures to protect your pet when fireworks are around and follow these simple guidelines to prevent your pet from suffering at this time:

Cats:

o       Keep your cat indoors when fireworks are being let off. 

o       Block off the cat flap to prevent cats from escaping and to help keep noise to a minimum

o       Close your curtains and windows and if your cat is used to the sound of the radio or television, switch them on, but not too loudly, so as to help mask the noise of the fireworks

o       If your pet paces around, miaows and tries to hide in a corner, leave it alone and do not coax it out.  It is just trying to find safety and should not be disturbed.

o       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:

o       Never take your dog to a firework display. Even if your dog does not bark or whimper at fireworks it does not mean that he is happy. 

o       Keep your dog indoors when fireworks are being let off

o       Exercise your dog earlier during the day, when there is less likely to be any fireworks and before the fireworks start

o       Never walk your dog whilst there are fireworks being let off

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

o       If your pet paces around, whines and tries to hide in a corner, leave it alone and do not coax it out.  It is just trying to find safety and should not be disturbed.

o       Try not to leave your pet alone during these potentially upsetting events and always try to stay calm yourself.

o       Make sure your dog is wearing some form of easily readable identification.  By Law, dogs should wear a collar and tag so that they can be quickly identified and reunited with you in case your dog bolts, runs away from you and becomes lost.  However, also consider fitting your dog with a microchip.

o       A plug in diffuser that disperses a synthetic copy of a naturally occurring pheromone produced by the bitch to reassure puppies and help create an overall calming influence is now available from veterinary surgeries and appears to be very effective at calming anxieties in dogs caused by fireworks.

Small mammals (such as hamsters, gerbils, rats, chinchillas, rabbits, guinea pigs etc):

o       These animals are easily frightened and can become very distressed by loud noises

o       If possible, hutches, cages and enclosures should be brought into a quite room indoors or into an outhouse or garden shed to offer them extra protection.

o       Give your pet extra bedding to burrow into so that it can feel safe and secure

o       If you cannot bring your pet’s hutch inside, you could turn its enclosure around so that it faces a wall or fence, instead of the open garden.

Horses and ponies:

o       Fireworks must never be set off near livestock or horses in fields or close to buildings that are housing livestock.  Anyone planning a firework display in a rural area should warn neighbouring farmers in advance.

o       Horses often bolt from firework noise and can injure themselves

o       It is sensible to keep your horse in its familiar environment, in its normal routine and with any companions to make it feel secure

o       Stable horses, ponies and donkeys whilst fireworks are being let off and close the stable door to ensure that the fireworks can not be seen

o       If you know that your horse reacts badly to loud noises or unusual circumstances speak to your veterinary surgeon for advice.

o       Ensure that you or someone experienced stays with your horse if you know that fireworks are being set off in the locality.  This way you can observe its behaviour, ensure that it remains as safe and calm as possible and respond to its reactions appropriately.

o       Try to remain calm as horses can sense unease in a person and this might make things worse if the horse is startled.

o       Be careful yourself.  Try not to get in the way if your horse becomes startled, as you may get hurt.  Do not risk riding when fireworks might be set off.

If fireworks must be used to mark an occasion, inform your neighbours so that they can take action to minimise the distress the fireworks may cause to their animals and, if possible, use ‘low noise’ fireworks.

Be sensible and remember, never let fireworks off in the presence of pets or other animals.

ENDS