Mass escape of pets on New Year's Eve

During New Year's Eve celebrations in Thailand, there was a mass escape of pets due to the noise of fireworks. Hundreds of cats and dogs ran away from their owners, which caused a wave of anxiety among pet owners.

Causes of pet escapes

The main reason for the sudden disappearance of pets was the noise from fireworks and firecrackers during the New Year celebrations. Bright flashes and deafening pops cause panic and stress in animals. Cats and dogs, scared out of their wits, tend to hide or run as far away from the source of the noise as possible.

Many owners have left pets home alone to celebrate the New Year on their own. Animals left unattended at the time of fireworks give in to instinct and run away, fleeing from a danger they do not understand.

Escaping under conditions of panic and stress is not painless for animals. Some pets die of shock right during fireworks. Others are injured by passing cars in an attempt to escape the deafening rumble.

According to the Watchdog Thailand Foundation, dozens of owners posted missing pet notices the morning after the holiday. The number of calls to the foundation this year is noticeably higher than in previous years.

How to keep pets safe

To avoid animals escaping and dying on New Year's Eve, experts recommend:

• Create a safe haven in the house where the pet can hide from noise.
• Don't leave the pet alone, but be close by and reassure them during fireworks.
• Use background sounds to drown out the noise of fireworks.
• Take more walks with dogs before the holiday to keep them calmer.
• Use pet sedatives as recommended by your veterinarian.