31.12.2024 | Estonia

Start the New Year with kindness: Say no to fireworks

Text Ingel Kink
Photo Jack Plant / Unsplash

The Estonian Society for the Protection of Animals (ELS) urges everyone to celebrate the New Year in a way that avoids distressing or harming animals and birds. While fireworks may be a visual delight for people, the loud explosions and bright flashes often cause severe stress and fear for animals, leading to unpredictable and dangerous behavior.

Domestic and wild animals alike suffer during firework displays. Birds take flight in panic, sometimes exhausting themselves fatally, while domestic animals may flee, get lost, or sustain injuries. Even animals in shelters, zoos, and parks are not spared the adverse effects. Margit Midro, ELS’s direct assistance lead, highlights, “Fear affects animals differently, but the immediate reaction is often to flee. The stress caused can harm their well-being, even if it’s not immediately visible.”

Tips for a pet-friendly New Year

For a safer New Year’s Eve, ELS recommends:

Opt for quiet fireworks or light shows instead of traditional fireworks.
Avoid using fireworks near protected nature reserves, farms, shelters, and zoos.

For pets:

Keep them indoors in a safe environment.
Tire them out during the day with walks or play.
Block out light flashes with curtains and play soft background noise.
Consult a vet for calming remedies if needed.
Microchipping and registration are essential precautions to help reunite lost pets with their owners quickly.
For more information, visit the event page: New Year Without Fireworks