‘Firecrackers can cause trauma in animals’

LOUD firecrackers during the New Year’s Eve celebration can stress out your furry friends, an animal rights group reminded pet owners on Saturday.

“Cats and dogs are especially gifted with an acute sense of hearing. Pyrotechnic explosions can cause acoustic trauma in animals that humans often take no notice of,” said Anna Cabrera, executive director of the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS).

The noise from firecrackers—believed to banish bad luck and attract good fortune—can leave your pets with a confused sense of direction and lead them to hurt themselves, it added.

According to PAWS, the anxiety may also result in the loss of appetite and an upset stomach as it urged people not to yell or laugh at their pets when they cower in fear.

The environmental watchdog EcoWaste Coalition joined PAWS in asking for compassion for animals as they urged everyone to refrain from using firecrackers.

“We appeal to all New Year revelers to be [aware] of the safety and wellbeing of our animal friends and to act compassionately by not lighting firecrackers and fireworks which are damaging to human, animal and ecosystem health,” EcoWaste coordinator Aileen Lucero said.

They advised the public to provide a quiet room where their pets can take refuge, close the windows and play relaxing music to neutralize outside noise.