PETA warns about the dangers for wildlife and pets — Should we rethink our festivities?
As celebrations approach, PETA regularly launches hard-hitting campaigns calling for an end to traditional fireworks — deemed traumatic for animals. In 2025, the campaign gained even more momentum with a video featuring actor Ron Perlman, aka Hellboy, who shouts: “Fireworks scare the hell out of me... They also terrify dogs, cats, and wildlife.” The message is clear: seek quiet alternatives such as drones, lasers, or silent fireworks.
Fireworks may seem festive, but they also come with a dark side. During the night, pets often panic, run away, or injure themselves; wildlife and birds, disoriented, also suffer. PETA reminds us that fireworks can cause lasting trauma to dogs, cats, and wild animals. Pet owners are encouraged to stay with their animals during festivities, close windows and shutters, and use calming methods such as soft music, turning up the TV, or even Bach Flowers, known to help reduce stress in sensitive animals. There are also hearing protection options for dogs in the form of noise-canceling headsets (BOLLSEN Dog+, Rex Specs EAR PRO), which can reduce ambient noise by up to 50%.
In several countries, alternatives to noisy fireworks are being developed to protect animal well-being. Many cities are already opting for quiet light shows using lasers, drones, or low-noise fireworks. PETA’s message – “forget fireworks” – is not a call to cancel celebrations, but to reinvent them by offering joyful moments without traumatizing pets or wildlife. Why not make these respectful alternatives the norm everywhere, with drones lighting up the sky, laser shows, artistic projections, and synchronized music? Celebrating can go hand in hand with wonder… and respect for living beings.
