Fireworks and firecrackers are easily two of the most catastrophic things for countless animals — both those we keep as companions and those in the wild. Sure, it’s exciting to welcome the New Year or other special occasions with a bang, but is our joy really worth the terror and chaos it unleashes on animals everywhere?
A ONE-SIDED CELEBRATION
Let’s be honest: Who doesn’t love a good firework or firecracker display? Whether it’s a holiday celebration, a festival, or even just a family event, nothing says party quite like loud sounds and flashes of light filling the sky.
Many of us participate in these activities without considering the cost to the environment and the animals who share our spaces. We get that exhilarating sense of awe and excitement for a brief moment. But what happens to the animals witnessing — or more likely hiding from — this same spectacle?
DOES IT REALLY DRIVE AWAY NEGATIVE VIBES?
When New Year’s Eve or any big celebration comes around, firecrackers are the thing. It’s not just about having fun — people believe those loud bangs are like a magical broom, sweeping away all the bad vibes!
The louder, the better, right? The noise is allegedly supposed to scare off negativity and make room for good fortune to roll in. This belief is huge in Asia, and of course, the Philippines is all in on it too. Like, would we really miss out on that?
Sure, this tradition has deep cultural meaning, but it comes with a big and serious downside. The same explosions meant to drive away bad luck are driving away animals, causing huge stress and suffering, and throwing their lives into fear.
THE SILENT VICTIMS
Look, we all worry about how our Dogs and Cats freak out over fireworks and firecrackers — don’t get me wrong, they matter, too! But let’s spread that compassion a little further, shall we?
Wildlife, especially Birds, have it just as bad, if not worse. Their entire world gets flipped upside down every time an explosion goes off, and a lot of them don’t even make it through the night when the sky starts lighting up.
FORCED TO TAKE FLIGHT
As it turns out, Birds are 1,000 times more likely to take off in a panic on New Year’s Eve than on any other night — they’re completely freaking out over the fireworks!
A study by Bart Hoekstra and his team in Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment shows just how many poor Birds are thrown into chaos the moment the sky lights up with explosions.
These poor Birds are so panicked, they end up crashing into buildings, trees, or power lines — worse, they literally have heart attacks from the stress!
Sudden, sharp explosions can cause Birds to abandon even their own nests in confusion, leaving eggs or young chicks vulnerable to predators or exposure, as Judy Shamoun-Baranes and her team published in the Journal of Behavioral Ecology.
Can you imagine? Entire flocks can die in just one night, flying off in the dark, totally disoriented and unable to figure out where they’re going.
Okay, let’s think this through: Birds can’t see well at night, right? They depend on familiar landmarks to find their way. So when something goes off, it’s like sending them into a full-on panic! They take off in a frenzy, completely disoriented.
Talk about a recipe for disaster!
THE TOLL ON COMPANION ANIMALS
Closer to home, our Dogs, Cats, Horse, and other domesticated animals experience similar trauma.
Fireworks and firecrackers are equally distressing to them. Dogs, with their acute sense of hearing, are especially vulnerable to loud sounds. Their hearing is so sensitive that they can pick up noises four times farther than humans can. To them, a firecracker or firework going off nearby isn’t just loud; it’s overwhelming and terrifying!
A 2019 survey by the British Veterinary Association and as seen on Animal Aunts website found that 62% of Dogs, 54% of Cats, and 52% of Horses suffer from noticeable stress with these celebrations. These sounds send animals into a state of panic where many start shaking uncontrollably, hide under beds, or even try to escape their homes in a desperate attempt to flee the noise.
THE SOUND OF FEAR
One New Year’s Eve, I remember us sitting in the bedroom with every window and door shut tight, trying to block out the noise. Our Cats were huddled together in thick blankets, shaking like little leaves. No amount of comfort could ease their wide, terrified eyes.
Meanwhile, outside, the neighborhood Dogs we feed were pacing the street, looking for a safe spot. They were in full panic mode, whining and trembling. My heart broke seeing them run around, lost and confused. We ended up opening our doors, and they rushed in, seeking refuge in the corners.
Instead of joy, we were all in survival mode, trying to comfort our Cats and keep the Dogs safe. It was a night of worry for everyone, and definitely not fun for our animal companions or the poor animals outside!
DEVASTATING IMPACT BEYOND COMPANION ANIMALS
Likewise, Deer, Rabbits, and even Bats are impacted, too! Nocturnal animals are disturbed by bright flashes and loud bangs disrupting their routines. Firecrackers often go off in wooded areas, invading wildlife habitats and putting these animals in danger.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) reports that many animals suffer from long-term effects, including reduced reproductive success, due to repeated exposure to fireworks and firecrackers.
Take Deer for example. When they panic, they bolt into roads or thick forests, risking injury or worse. The same fear that strikes Birds sends shockwaves through the ecosystem. Deer often get hit by vehicles or get lost in unfamiliar areas.
Bats are equally vulnerable. These nocturnal creatures are active during firework displays, and those bright flashes and deafening sounds completely throw them off. They rely on echolocation to navigate and hunt at night, but when that’s disrupted, they can crash into things. Not to mention how it messes with their ability to feed and survive.
Rabbits and small mammals aren’t spared, either. The noise drives them into burrows or hiding spots, and the stress can cause them to abandon their young or disrupt their feeding and mating habits.
The worst part? They don’t even know why it’s happening.
ANIMALS: DEAD OR MISSING
And it’s not just the night of the fireworks and firecrackers that’s harmful; the aftermath is just as devastating. Social media floods with posts about missing Dogs and Cats who ran away in fear, often never to be found.
Some suffer injuries trying to escape, while others develop long-term behavioral issues from the trauma.
The damage is even worse with wildlife. Too many Birds are injured and fried (yes, fried!) after New Year’s Eve. Deer and small mammals go missing from their usual habitats. The impacts of a few hours of loud celebrations can ripple through an ecosystem for months.
4 ALTERNATIVES TO FIREWORKS
We don’t need to sacrifice joy to protect animals from the harm caused by fireworks and firecrackers. According to the RSPCA, here are some alternatives and recommendations we can consider.
LASER LIGHT SHOWS
Forget the bangs and booms! Laser light shows are here to dazzle the night sky with vibrant colors and patterns — no noise pollution!
Who needs loud explosions when you can have a stunning visual experience? And the best part? You can even sync them with music for an epic celebration that won’t leave your animals trembling in fear.
DRONE LIGHT SHOWS
Say hello to the future with drone light shows!
These little tech marvels can create breathtaking displays, forming intricate shapes in the sky — all without a peep (how I wish I could see one at least once in my lifetime). They’re silent, eco-friendly, and reusable, making them the perfect alternative to those old-school fireworks.
Major cities are catching on, and it’s about time we join the party!
INDOOR CELEBRATIONS
Who needs the outdoors when you can have a blast inside?
Throw parties, game nights, or family gatherings with music and dancing. Don’t forget to turn on the karaoke with our titas’ and titos’ all-time favorite birits. Classic Filipino behavior, yet they will never get old!
Spending New Year’s with our animal companions not only keeps them calm and cozy, but also turns into a heartwarming tradition. Let’s make indoor celebrations the new cool!
RAISING AWARENESS
Fireworks phobia is R-E-A-L, but it can be treated, especially in Dogs! Human guardians should prepare well ahead of time to help their animal companions cope better. We also need to raise awareness about the impact of fireworks on all animals.
Let’s encourage everyone to be more considerate and create a safer environment for them.
TIME TO RETHINK
So, really, is it worth it? A few minutes of pretty lights and loud bangs shouldn’t come at the expense of animals’ safety.
Every year, we celebrate, but at what cost? Firecrackers may seem like a fun tradition to ward off bad vibes, but what if we shifted that focus to creating good energy instead?
It’s time to consider choices that protect all living beings. As we learn and grow, why not rethink our celebrations?
We can keep our customs alive while being kinder to the creatures we share this world with. Let’s celebrate in a way that makes it safer for everyone.