RELUCTANTLY or not, we’re at the point in the year where the nights are really beginning to draw in, the air is turning crisp, and the skies over towns and villages across Ireland will soon begin to crackle with colour.

For many, fireworks are a joyful spectacle; for animals, they can be a source of real distress. Whether you share your home with a dog, a cat, or a stableyard of horses, it’s our responsibility to prepare them for the bangs and flashes that so often arrive without warning.

Horses, with their acute hearing and prey instincts, are especially vulnerable. The unpredictable noise and sudden bursts of light can trigger flight responses that put them and their handlers at risk. Each year, vets report injuries from panicked horses bolting through fences, slipping on hard ground, or suffering stress-related colic. Dogs and cats may tremble, pant, hide, or even run away from home in fear. Farm animals too can become unsettled, with sheep miscarrying or cattle breaking through boundaries in alarm.

A little communication

The first step towards safety is awareness. If you live near a livery yard or smallholding, simply let your neighbours know in advance if you plan to set off fireworks. A little communication can prevent a lot of suffering. Responsible organisers can also opt for silent or low-noise fireworks, now increasingly available from suppliers across Ireland. They deliver the same spectacle without the ear-splitting crack.

For horse owners, preparation is key. Keep routines as normal as possible. Horses are creatures of habit, and change adds to their anxiety. Ensure fields and stables are secure, with gates closed and hazards removed. If your horse is stabled, leave a light on to reduce the contrast from flashes, and consider playing a radio softly to mask outside noise. For nervous animals, speak to your vet about calming supplements or sedation, and never attempt to “face it out” with a frightened horse.

Many are lost

Dogs and cats benefit from similar reassurance. Create a safe den indoors, close curtains and keep windows shut. Walk dogs before dusk and ensure they’re microchipped and wearing an ID tag, too many are lost each year during firework season.

There’s a wider picture too. Animal welfare charities across Ireland continue to campaign for tighter regulation on private firework sales and more controlled public displays. Until laws change, it falls to us as owners, neighbours, and community to act with empathy.

A spectacular sky doesn’t have to come at the cost of animal wellbeing. With thought, kindness and communication, we can make fireworks season a time of wonder for people and one of safety for the animals we share our land with.