RSPCA's advice ahead of New Year celebrations in Bucks

Bucks pet owners are being reminded to consider the needs of animals and their welfare as we prepare to welcome in 2023 - including the use of fireworks and sky lanterns.

Pet owners are being urged to plan ahead, sound proofing their homes if they can, and providing a safe enclosure or den for your animal tomorrow night. 

Shelley Phillips, RSPCA campaigns manager, said: “As many of us celebrate the start of 2023, the festivities can also be stressful for many animals - including our pets.

“Small animals living outside should be provided with lots of extra bedding to allow for burrowing, whilst parts of their enclosure could be covered with a blanket to provide further sound-proofing and insulation.”

Horses, farm animals and wildlife can also be negatively affected by fireworks too. And the RSPCA continues to urge organisers of events to avoid letting off fireworks near where animals are kept.

Horse owners are being advised to check to see if there are going to be any firework displays in their area, and talk to the organisers - explaining there are horses nearby and asking them to set off their fireworks well away from their horses and aimed in the opposite direction.

For more tips and advice visit:  https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/general/fireworks

Alongside advice, The RSPCA has been running its #BangOutOfOrder campaign for many years and is calling on the UK Government to urgently review firework regulations.

To urge the UK Government to review firework regulations, you can sign up to the RSPCA’s campaign here: https://www.rspca.org.uk/getinvolved/campaign/fireworks

The RSPCA is also reminding people as to the possible dangers of using sky lanterns, as part of any New Year celebrations. 

Shelley added: “Sky lanterns, commonly known as ‘Chinese lanterns’, present a significant danger to animals, and can cause  injuries which lead to suffering and a slow, painful death.

"Risks to animals include ingestion, entanglement and entrapment; whilst lanterns can also cause fire, destroy habitats or damage animal housing and feed. The consequences of a lit or hot lantern landing in stables or barns occupied by horses or farm animals surrounded by dry, flammable bedding and forage are truly horrific to imagine.

"Whilst sky lanterns may look pretty, people need to remember that what goes up, must come down - so, for animals’ sake, we're urging the public to give sky lanterns a miss this New Year."