Page last updated at 16:34 GMT, Thursday, October 13 2011
Animals and Fireworks
Most people enjoy fireworks
Most animals don’t
November 5th is the traditional time for fireworks, although
people do use fireworks as a way of celebrating weddings,
birthdays, festivals etc. Unfortunately
fireworks usually means misery for most animals. Some
household pets even have to be sedated due to the distress
caused. Others, if left outside, become so frightened they
may run off to hide and become lost or injured.
Remember
On Bonfire Night, or if there is a fireworks display near you at
other times during the year :-
- Never let off fireworks near animals
- Keep pets indoors
- Close windows and curtains and switch on the television to
drown out the noise
- Let your animal take refuge in a corner or under the bed if it
wants to. Don’t try to tempt it out until the display is
over
- Make sure your cat or dog is micro chipped and tagged in case
they do get lost, so they can be returned to you. Make sure
your details are updated
- Take your dog for a walk during the day, when it tends to be
quieter
Animals living outside shouldn’t be forgotten. If you keep
rabbits, guinea pigs or any other animal outside, try and cover
their cages or ideally move them into a shed or outhouse for the
duration of a display.
Before you light your bonfire, make sure there are no small
animals, such as hedgehogs sleeping in the bottom of
it. Build your bonfire as late as possible to reduce the risk
and make sure you put a broom into the base of the bonfire and
slowly move it around. If there is anything hidden there this
will move it out of harms way.
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