Diwali 2023: Tips to Keep Your Pets and Stray Animals Safe During the Festival of Lights

Diwali brings excitement and celebration to families across the country. It’s important to remember, however, that not everyone likes the celebrations as much as we do. Diwali may be a difficult time for our four-legged companions, both domestic and stray. The bursting of crackers can be stressful for pets, causing them to tremble and behave erratically.

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Every year, thousands of animals get injured by firecrackers. This year as Diwali falls on November 12, let us make this festival joyful for the animals too by providing a secure and comfortable environment for them. Here are some tips on how to make the festival of lights stress-free and happy for pets:

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1. Keep your pets indoors and in a familiar room. Because pets have a keen sense of hearing, jolts and loud noises lead many animals to flee in search of safety.
2. Close all doors and windows and pull the curtains to prevent noise. Also, provide enough food and water for dogs, and make sure someone is there to soothe them.
3. Fireworks should be stored in a closed box, somewhere cool and dry and out of reach of pets. Keep fireworks canisters away from stairwells and passageways.
4. Decorate using lights, lamps, and diyas that are less harmful to the environment and animals by emitting less smoke and making less noise.
5. Avoid bursting crackers near an animal shelter or zoo. Panic and terror can be triggered by noise. The pollution caused by igniting firecrackers is also hazardous to their health.
6. It is advisable to take your pets for a stroll during the day before the festivities begin. Never stroll them close where others are setting off fireworks.
7. Consult a veterinarian if your pet is easily frightened or distressed by loud noises. Check their availability throughout Diwali in case of an emergency.
8. If you feed stray animals in your neighbourhood, make sure they have tags with their names and your phone numbers. People who locate them will be able to call you if they run away due to the noise.
9. Prepare a first-aid kit in advance of assisting injured animals. Keep a pail of water on available in case of emergency and to dispose of discarded sparklers.
10. When a pet goes missing, make sure you have the contact information for the nearby shelters and the local municipal corporations on hand. Take the pet to the location on the tag or to a nearby animal shelter if you locate a missing animal.
11. Stray animals may seek refuge in your neighbourhood during Diwali because they are scared of the noises. Instead of shooing them away, provide them a quiet corner or some old blankets to hide in until the ruckus dies down.