How to help cats who are afraid of fireworks
- Provide hiding places in your home .e.g. under furniture or a quiet corner
- Don’t stress your cat by trying to tempt them out. Leave them until they’re ready
- Keeping them in to avoid them becoming stressed
- Get your cats microchipped (link to microchipping)) in case they’re startled and escape outside
How to help small animals during fireworks
- Partly cover outside cages and pens with blankets so it’s soundproofed and hidden, leaving an area for animals to look out
- Provide bedding for small animals to burrow in
- Consider bringing them indoors – this will need to be done gradually, so plan ahead
Safety of horses during fireworks
- Know in advance – check to see if there are going to be any firework displays in your area
- Talk to the neighbours and the organisers of local displays. It is against the law to set off fireworks near livestock – where possible, explain there are horses nearby and if they are going to have a display ask them to set off their fireworks in the opposite direction
- Get advice from the British Horse Society (BHS)
Reducing the impact
If you want to enjoy fireworks, you can make them less frightening for animals in the following ways:
- Going to an organised event will reduce the number of fireworks disturbing animals
- Please only let fireworks off on or around traditional celebration dates (Diwali, Bonfire Night, New Year’s Eve and Chinese New Year). Most owners will already know to expect fireworks on these dates and should have prepared accordingly to help their animals cope. Look for low-noise fireworks, and let your neighbours know well in advance so animals including horses and livestock, can be prepared
- Never set off fireworks near livestock, as frightened animals – especially horses – can injure themselves when frightened
- Remember, fireworks can also disturb wildlife so steer clear of known habitats like lakes with waterfowl and trees with roosting birds
- Check bonfires for wildlife before lighting as animals like hedgehogs may be hibernating.
