How to keep your pets safe during New Year's Eve fireworks
Animal shelters across Australia are preparing for a busy 24 hours as the nation brings in the new year with a bang.
Hundreds of dogs go missing on New Year's Eve and pet owners are being urged to keep them safe and secure during Sunday's fireworks.
"For us, we know it's New Year's Eve, we know there are going to be fireworks, but for dogs, they've got no idea it's coming, so it's like the sky is exploding around them," Animal Behaviour Manager Dr Trepheena Hunter told 7 News.
Dogs have an acute sense of hearing and can detect noise up to four times louder than humans. The startling sound of fireworks can be petrifying, sending pets into panic.
According to Dr Hunter, once they're in a distressed state, dogs then tend to try and find a way out, becoming destructive and attempting to dig under or jump over fences - and even jump through windows.
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To make sure your peloved pet doesn't escape:
Bring them inside
Keep the blinds closed to block out the flashing lights
Play some music to drown out the loud sounds whilst keeping them company.
More than 150 pets came to Lost Dogs Home last year, forcing the shelter to call on the help of extra workers to cope with this year's demand.
"Most of the dogs are reunited really quickly but for those that aren't we get them ready for adoption," Kristen Veer of Lost Dogs Home said.
If they do happen to get out, make they're microchipped and have a name tag so they can find their way home.
