Fireworks are beautiful but their loud booms and bangs are responsible for an increase in lost pets. In fact, there is a 30% increase in lost dogs and cats on the Fourth of July. July 5th is the busiest day of the year for animal shelters, who will be packed with dogs and cats, many of whom will never find their way back to their owners.
Sadly, "only 14% of lost pets are returned to their owners, according to nationwide statistics. And worse, 30-60% of lost pets are euthanized because they cannot be properly identified and returned to their owners," according to Mark Jakubczak, Certified Pet Detective and Founder, PetAmberAlert™
These sad statistics are sobering but something can be done about it. For example, a town in Collecchio, in the province of Parma in Italy, gathered together and made some changes. The residents said no more to the heart pounding noise that results in terrorized dogs and cats that run away, get lost, and are sometimes killed by cars.
Enough was enough so the local government introduced new legislation to require citizens to use silent fireworks as a way of respecting the animals and reducing the stress loud fireworks caused them. No longer will the pets in Collecchio suffer from firework induced anxiety, stress, heart problems, nausea, and tremors. No longer will the thundering entertainment be allowed to scare the pets nearly to death.
But no worries because residents will still enjoy fireworks in the form of silent firecrackers made by a company called, Setti Fireworks. Setti deliverers a spectacular light show without all the noise and can customize each show for nearly any venue.
We applaud the people of Collecchio and admire their love and devotion to the animals. Please share this story if you think silent fireworks should be used everywhere to help save our pets from the annual noise induced anxiety so many suffer from.
Sandi says
I wish they would do that where I live!!!
Jamie says
I wish they would do this every where.
Mark says
Contact your local officials. I think NYC should approach Macy's Dept Store to switch also. Fireworks are again legal in NJ but I will ask vendors for the silent brand.
Laraine Douglas says
I think that this is a fantastic idea and should be implemented all across America. Not only to help our pets feel safer but for all those in the animal kingdom that have to suffer through and not understand it at all.
Jack Johnston says
I agree that fireworks are largely a waste of resources & time. But what form of entertainment isn't? Among my earliest memories is seeing fireworks in the sky at a local fair. It must leave an impression on a lot of kids. It seemed spectacular at the time and will live on in memory forever. So where do we start if we are to do away with any form of entertainment that might disturb wildlife or somebody that doesn't like it? We shouldn't use any form of transportation for sure, as an unsuspecting animal could be hit. Highways, train tracks, hydro lines, all need to go. Have you found your cave yet? Better start looking before they're all taken!
Joanne says
We wish we could do this Verona Beach NY alot of animals are so terrified .
Ilean Brown says
Silent fireworks make so much more sense. No more frightened animals running etc and also disturbing people as well.
junie kovacs says
This should be a worldwide happening. I live on a small Island, and even here 5 dogs that I know of have gone missing on New Years Eve
Debby says
Not only animals but people too.
Kimberly Garnes says
What a wonderful idea. Glad to see people care enough to find a perfect solution. Wish I would hear something is being done here.
Richard Cecelski says
Great move town of Carolina Beach! The noise can also scare parent birds off their nest, leaving their young abandoned. This has been known to happen with our local mascot, the Seahawk, or Osprey.