Firework Season: Helping Pets of People Experiencing Homelessness As Well As Your Own

It’s that time of year again. For some, fireworks season is a joyful time, a celebration of autumn, the changing of the landscape to a beautiful wintery one, cosy coats, and toffee apples. For others, commonly those with pets who fear fireworks, it is a nerve-wracking time. Severe firework or noise fear can have pets literally collapsing in a shaking heap, which is distressing for all involved. We understand that owners are looking to help pets as best as they can, so we are here with some advice.

Know the dates for the diary

Scan social media, newspapers, and local noticeboards for information of any planned fireworks events, and perhaps even ask your neighbours to let you know if they are planning any displays themselves. Knowing what is going to happen and when, sets you off on the best footing when planning to support pets at this time; it is key for putting our advice into practice.

Cosy corners

Creating a dark, quiet, cosy bolthole, with all your pet’s favourite toys and blankets, is one of the best nuggets of wisdom out there at this time. Should they choose it, allowing your pet their own space is important. Occasionally, well-meaning pet parents overdo the fuss and attention, which can have the opposite effect to that intended. Rather than being reassuring, frenzied fuss can imply that there is indeed something to fear. Fuss and love in the correct measures, and definitely when a pet requests it, is perhaps the better way forward. If riding out the fear in their cosy corner is how they cope best, we recommend supporting them in this endeavour, and a blanket-draped crate in a quiet area of the house will allow them to do so.

Prepare the house

Simple home measures can make a large impact: closing the curtains, turning up the TV or radio, and spending the evening in the room which best reduces the sights and sounds of fireworks are all extremely helpful. As is making the house safe and secure by closing all doors, windows, and cat flaps. Escapees during these times can really get themselves into bother.

Prepare your pets

Early walks to tire dogs out can really help a hound chill out during firework season. Walking before darkness falls, and therefore before fireworks begin, is also helpful in preventing panic and associated straying. Feed pets prior to the scary sounds starting, because aren’t we all a bit lazier and more relaxed on a full stomach? Avoid wees outside until the fear has well and truly subsided; pets might surprise you by scaling even the highest of garden fences when adrenaline is coursing through their veins.

Gold standard preparation

Desensitisation programmes are really the only way to help a pet long term. The beauty is that they work! If carried out diligently and correctly, you could find yourself with a calm and confident pet year-round, regardless of what scary sounds are going off. These regimes often centre around playing firework sounds at very low volumes initially, and lower than you think, because don’t forget that pets generally have far superior hearing to us mere humans! It is vital that the instructions of any desensitisation system are followed to the letter, since rushing the process can have the opposite effect. So, if you have missed the preparation boat for this year, why not think about getting organised for next firework season, or even for new year’s celebrations instead?

What about hounds without houses?

So, what of pets who don’t have a bolthole? What if they don’t even have a home in which to house a bolthole? Or a door to close the sound of fireworks out? Or any windows over which to draw the curtains?

Approximately one quarter of all people experiencing homelessness in the UK have a dog, and, sadly, fewer than 10% of night shelters will accept dogs in their accommodation. These individuals are choosing their pet over a warm, comfortable place to sleep. If that isn’t dedication to their companion, then we don’t know what is. For many people experiencing homelessness, the comfort and connection that they gain from their pet is a lifeline, something to cherish and hold onto. Street pets are tough, but they still have all the same fears as pets who live in homes.

So how can we all help these guys at this time of year? Firework fear has the potential to be massively magnified for these furry friends, since they are in no way sheltered from the bangs and the flashes, there is no dulling of the noise by bricks and mortar. So, lets dull those sounds for them. Silent fireworks exist. If you’re planning a firework extravaganza, why not consider using these instead? And please spread the word to any event organisers that you are aware of.