In short:
Fireworks on New Year’s Eve can cause serious stress for pets and local wildlife across Wyndham, leading to escapes, injuries and animals on roads. Keeping pets indoors, planning ahead and driving carefully can help reduce the risks and keep animals safe.
Firework Tips For Pets And Wildlife
As New Year’s Eve approaches, fireworks displays across Melbourne’s west are expected to light up the sky — but in Wyndham, the noise and flashes can be highly distressing for pets and local wildlife.
Fireworks are one of the most stressful events of the year for animals. Sudden bangs and bright flashes can trigger panic, causing dogs and cats to flee or hide, and wildlife to scatter suddenly.
Dogs in particular may try to escape secure yards, sometimes travelling long distances and risking injury or becoming lost.
Wildlife disturbed by fireworks can flee across roads or collide with fences, buildings or vehicles, especially in areas where housing estates sit close to open land and reserves.
Planning ahead can significantly reduce the risks. Exercising dogs earlier in the day and feeding them before fireworks begin can help them settle.
If possible, staying home with pets, remaining calm and sticking to normal routines can provide reassurance without reinforcing anxious behaviour.
Pets are safest indoors during fireworks. Closing blinds or curtains, playing soft music or television, and creating a quiet hiding space with blankets can help reduce stress.
Dogs should never be tethered during fireworks and should not be left outside alone, as panic can lead to serious injury.
Making sure pets are microchipped, registered and wearing ID tags is especially important in Wyndham, where escaped animals can quickly move across suburbs.
Cats should also be kept indoors and allowed to hide until the noise subsides. Most will re-emerge once conditions are calm.
Local wildlife is also affected. Birds may take flight suddenly and injure themselves, while kangaroos, wallabies and wombats startled by fireworks can end up on roads on one of the busiest nights of the year.
Fireworks debris left behind in parks, reserves and backyards can also be harmful if ingested by animals.
Residents are urged to drive carefully on New Year’s Eve and keep contact details for local wildlife carers on hand in case an injured animal is found.
For pets that experience severe fireworks anxiety, speaking with a veterinarian ahead of time can help, with training strategies or calming treatments available.
With a few simple precautions, Wyndham residents can help make New Year’s Eve safer and less stressful for pets and local wildlife.
