New Year’s fireworks a headache for SPCA

With a new year often comes New Year’s fireworks and celebrations, which pose a problem for animals and give the SPCA many headaches.

Every year, scared animals go missing or get injured trying to avoid the loud bangs of fireworks.

This year, as a preventative measure, Brakpan SPCA inspectors Mariska Venter and Tamaryn Lombard (manager) patrolled through shops in the Brakpan CBD to find and confiscate illegal fireworks.

The SPCA is not authorised to confiscate these items, so the team worked with the local CPF under the supervision of inspector Imaraan Timms from the EMPD.

Shops not licensed to sell fireworks but found with them had their stock confiscated and booked in by the EMPD officer.

“We appreciate the support of our stakeholders who share our concern about the adverse impact of fireworks, not only on all animals but also on people with PTSD and related conditions,” read the society’s Facebook post about the patrol.

People with war-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often experience intense flashbacks during fireworks and can sometimes harm themselves and others while these flashbacks are happening.

Other people also suffer during fireworks, like those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), who often have sensory sensitivities, making loud or repetitive noises feel physically painful and overwhelming.

Others with phobias or conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) could be scared and overwhelmed and engage in self-harming behaviours to try to feel in control.

Animals, in particular, are hit especially hard because their senses are much more sensitive than those of humans.

Pets often injure themselves trying to run away or hide from the fireworks, birds and bats get disoriented, and livestock can panic and injure themselves.

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However, the biggest headache for the SPCA is lost pets. Pets often escape and get disoriented during fireworks and are caught and brought to the SPCA or reported as missing to them.

This is overwhelming for the staff because they have to contend with many cases of lost and found pets over the few days after New Year’s eve. If your pet is missing or you have found a lost pet, follow these tips to ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible:

• If your pet is missing, check with the SPCA, and if they don’t have it, fill out a missing animal form so they can notify you if your animal is found.

• Post photos of your lost pet on local Facebook pages.

• If you find a stray animal, trap it and take it to the SPCA.

• When you collect your missing pet from the SPCA, bring your ID, proof of residence, and proof of ownership. It can be vaccine cards, photos or microchip documentation.

• The claiming fee for a lost pet is R250.

• If you see a stray animal but can’t safely trap it, send the information to 083 696 9052. Attach a photo of the animal, a detailed description, the date and time it was spotted, and the relative location where it was seen.