Speaking in behalf of their voiceless pets, environmental and animal
welfare advocates gathered on December 28, 2014 (Sunday) in front of the
Malate Catholic Church to exhort the public not to blow up firecrackers
and pyrotechnics to usher in the New Year.
Co-organized by the EcoWaste Coalition and the Care for the Earth
Ministry of Our Lady of Remedies Parish, the assembly of kids and
grown-ups with their furry friends, highlighted the group’s continuing
“Iwas PapuToxic” drive towards a cleaner, greener and safer celebration
of the New Year.
Members of the Animal Kingdom Foundation Inc. (AKF), Compassion and
Responsibility for Animals (CARA Welfare Philippines) and the Philippine
Pug Lovers Club came to the event with their pet dogs.
“Prolonged exposure to deafening noise, blinding lights and
suffocating fumes may damage animals’ sensitive ears, powerful noses and
keen eyesight,” explained Heidi Caguioa of AKF.
“Sudden firecracker explosions not only frighten small animals such
as birds, cats and dogs, but also cause severe stress such as stomach
upset, loss of appetite and decreased sense of direction that may result
to animals getting lost or injured,” she added. The groups recommended the following tips to help your pet animals
survive the noise and injuries during the New Year’s Eve festivities:
- Persuade members of your household to make your home a “no firecracker” zone.
- Politely tell your neighbors not to light or throw firecrackers near your home.
- Exercise your pets during the days leading up to the New Year’s Eve and in the next morning when the festivities are over and the smoke has cleared.
- Give your pets a physical outlet for their pent-up energy resulting from stress.
- Manage the environment so it is as relaxing as possible and as less stressful as you can make it.
- Provide your pets with a safe place to take temporary refuge. If possible, allow them to stay in a quiet room such as a bedroom.
- Close the windows, pull the curtains down and play relaxing music to neutralize the noise from the outside to help your pets feel secure.
- Ensure your pets’ access to drinking water. Make them pee or poo before the festivities happen.
- Do not yell or laugh at your pets when they are cowering or shaking in fear. This is a natural response to a threat that they do not understand and cannot avoid.
