Essential Tips for Keeping Pets and Wildlife Safe on Bonfire Night

Bonfire Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Night, brings excitement with fireworks, bonfires, and gatherings. While many enjoy this festive occasion, it can create significant risks for our pets and local wildlife. The loud booms and bright flashes often lead to anxiety or even harm for animals. This post provides practical tips for protecting both domestic pets and wildlife as best you can during this eventful night.

Understanding the Risks

Fireworks can be terrifying for pets. A study by the Animal Behaviour Clinic found that around 50% of dogs show signs of fear during fireworks. Common reactions include excessive barking, attempts to hide, or even escaping. Cats may also experience stress, opting to hide in secure spots. Additionally, the noise and light disturb wildlife, disrupting their natural behaviours. For example, birds may abandon their nests due to stress from loud sounds.

It is essential to take steps to safeguard our furry friends and the wildlife in our communities.

How to Keep Pets Safe on Bonfire Night

Create a Safe Space

Creating a cosy, safe space for your pets can greatly reduce their anxiety. Select a quiet room in your house, such as a spare bedroom, away from windows. Include their favourite blankets, toys, and even treats to make this area inviting. Playing soft music or turning on the television can help mask the sound of fireworks, providing comfort and distraction. Make sure windows are closed, and close curtains to stop their view of sudden light flashes. A radio on low should drown out most bangs.

Keep Them Indoors

On Bonfire Night, it is best to keep pets indoors. This not only protects them from sudden noises but also prevents them from running away in fear. Make sure all windows and doors are securely shut, including locking cat flaps or switching to in only if they are still out. If your cats are used to outdoor time, consider playing with them early in the day before the fireworks start to help them expend some energy, and attempt to bring them in just before it goes dark outside. For outdoor ferals and strays, ensure their shelter space is safe, comfortable and open for them to retreat to. Perhaps leave a shed/outbuilding ajar for them to hide in, ensuring all dangerous items and any chemicals they might injure themselves on are tightly secured.

For animals that can not be brought inside, ensure huts and cages and secure, safe and comfortable for them. A little battery powered radio can be very useful placed by their enclosure to drown out many bangs. Constant music playing not only drowns out background bangs, but it can lessen the shock of nearby bangs too. This is due to constant noise, rather than a sudden loud bang coming out of nowhere when it's quiet.

Use Calming Products

Some vets suggest owners consider using calming products to help ease anxiety. Options include pheromone diffusers, anxiety wraps, or calming collars. These products can reduce stress by promoting relaxation. Always consult your veterinarian for recommendations tailored to your pet's needs. They may also suggest relaxation supplements, which have been shown to be effective for some pets and may be especially useful for the ones who show a severe fear of fireworks.

Stay with Them

Your presence can offer significant comfort to your pets during stressful moments. Spend quality time with them, providing reassurance and support. Engaging in gentle play or simply being nearby can help alleviate their fears. For instance, you can sit quietly with them while gently petting them to help them feel safe. Remember, our cats and dogs pick up on our body language, changes in voice tone, and even physiological changes associated with emotions like stress and anxiety. They react to negative human emotions by becoming anxious themselves or by exhibiting behavioural problems, while positive human emotions can create a sense of security and reduce behavioural issues, so simply speak in soft reassuring tones and act as if there is nothing to worry about and they are safe.

Helping Keep Wildlife Safe on Bonfire Night

Avoid Fireworks or Use Silent Ones

If you plan to use fireworks, opt for a controlled environment away from natural habitats. Fireworks can frighten wildlife and lead to panic, causing animals to flee their homes, which can result in injuries or fatalities. According to the National Fire Protection Association, approximately 6,000 fires per year are caused by fireworks, endangering both wildlife and human environments. Always consider silent/low-noise fireworks.

Educate Others

Increasing awareness about the effects of fireworks on wildlife is crucial. Discuss with friends and family the need for alternative celebration methods, such as laser shows or silent fireworks, which are known to be less disruptive. Suggesting community events that reduce risks can create a more animal-friendly environment.

Provide Safe Spaces

If you have a garden, think about establishing a wildlife-friendly area. You can plant dense shrubs or create natural covers where wildlife can hide from the noise and chaos of Bonfire Night. A study showed that gardens with varied vegetation enhance habitats for small animals, giving them shelter and a safe place to retreat during stressful events.

What to Do If You Find a Distressed Domestic Animal on Bonfire Night

Approach Calmly

If you encounter a frightened pet, approach them slowly and calmly. Quick movements or loud noises may exacerbate their fear. Speak softly and, if possible, avoid direct eye contact to prevent them from feeling threatened.

Check for Identification

If the animal seems lost, check for tags or microchips for identification. If they have a collar with information, reach out to the owner to reunite them. Statistics show that pets with identification are more than twice as likely to be returned home.

Contact Local Shelters

If you are unable to locate the owner, consider reaching out to local animal shelters or rescue organizations for guidance. These organizations can provide advice on how to care for the animal until its owner is found. Rescuers and scanners can be busy on this night, but there might be someone available to come and scan the animal to check if they are lost.

What to Do If You Find Injured Wildlife on Bonfire Night

Assess the Situation

If you discover injured wildlife, assess the situation from a safe distance. Do not attempt to handle the animal unless it is in immediate danger. Observing from afar can prevent further stress to the animal.

Contact a Wildlife Rescue

Reach out to a local wildlife rescue organization or veterinarian for help. These professionals have the expertise needed to handle injured animals safely and can provide proper care. You can find your local wildlife rescue here.

A Responsible Celebration

Bonfire Night can be a wonderful occasion, but we must remember its potential impact on our pets and local wildlife. By taking proactive steps to create safe spaces for our animals and being considerate of wildlife, we can enjoy the festivities while minimizing harm.

Let’s celebrate responsibly, ensuring that our furry friends and the wildlife around us remain safe this Bonfire Night!