Protect animals from New Year noise, fumes

As the New Year revelry approaches, the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) and EcoWaste Coalition are appealing to the public to ditch firecrackers and fireworks and to ensure that cats, dogs and other pets are protected from the noise, which causes the animals trauma.

- Elizabeth Marcelo, Ghio Ong

In a joint press statement, the two groups warned that firecrackers and fireworks can trigger intense anxiety, discomfort and physical harm to animals, especially dogs and cats, while contaminating the environment.

"The deafening explosions caused by firecrackers during the New Year's Eve revelry can be a terrifying experience for our companion animals and even more so for the homeless animals on the streets," PAWS executive director Anna Cabrera said.