For many, the New Year is a joyous occasion marked by fireworks, rockets, and a sparkling night sky. However, for both domestic and wild animals, New Year’s Eve often means stress, panic, and acute danger.
Loud Noises Pose a Threat
Dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, and even fish are sensitive to the loud bangs and bright lights of fireworks. Their hearing is significantly more acute than that of humans, so a loud noise can feel like a physical attack. Excessive noise can even cause permanent hearing damage.
The animal welfare association of Bad Saulgau, with its two animal shelters in Bad Saulgau and Sigmaringen, warns with statistics from the German Animal Welfare Federation: “During the New Year 2022/23, our partner animal shelters reported 212 dead and 17 injured animals, including both wild and numerous domestic animals.”
Dr. Julia Stubenbord, the Baden-Württemberg State Animal Welfare Officer, stated in a press release last year: “With very few exceptions, animals experience fear.” This applies to pets, farm animals, and wildlife.
“The special thing about animals is that they cannot abstract.” This means they do not understand that the danger will pass after a certain time. They experience the situation as insurmountable and without end, which exacerbates their suffering. The consequences can be dramatic: panic, trauma, running away, and even death.
Tips from the Animal Shelter Director
Pet owners can actively help make New Year’s Eve easier for their animals. Animal shelter director Martin Grillenberger recommends creating a quiet retreat, keeping doors and windows closed, dampening noise with music or radio, providing distractions with games or treats, and remaining calm themselves. Walks should take place early in the evening, free-roaming animals should stay indoors, and dogs should be kept on a double leash as a precaution.
Staff at the animal shelters in Sigmaringen and Bad Saulgau are ensuring the well-being of the animals: Radio is played in the kennels on New Year’s Eve to dampen the noise. Shortly after midnight, a staff member checks to see if everything is okay.
New Year’s Stress Also Affects Nature
Wild animals also suffer from New Year’s Eve fireworks. Birds quickly lose their orientation with flashing lights and loud noises, and wild animals in hibernation, such as hedgehogs or bats, can be disturbed, which overloads their metabolism. Particularly endangered native species are therefore additionally endangered.
Proper disposal of firework debris is also crucial. Used firecrackers, multi-shot batteries, or rockets contain chemicals that can get into soils and waters. Plastic debris and shards also pose a danger to animals if they nibble on them and cause economic damage to farmers.
Consideration is Key
Fireworks should therefore not be set off near farms and should only be used where the debris can be completely collected and disposed of properly.
Animals suffer in silence, but their stress is real. A conscious approach to fireworks – or even foregoing them near animals – can save lives and make the New Year a celebration that doesn’t traumatize anyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of animals are affected by New Year’s Eve fireworks?
Dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, fish, farm animals, and wild animals all react to the loud noises and bright lights, according to the source.
What was the reported impact of fireworks on animals during the 2022/23 New Year’s Eve period?
Partner animal shelters reported 212 dead and 17 injured animals, including both wild and domestic animals, during the 2022/23 New Year’s Eve period.
What can pet owners do to help their animals during New Year’s Eve?
Pet owners can create a quiet retreat, keep doors and windows closed, dampen noise, provide distractions, and remain calm themselves, according to animal shelter director Martin Grillenberger.
How might you adjust your New Year’s celebrations to minimize stress for animals in your community?
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