Marilyn Cahatol

An animal welfare group and an environmental health group hold a pet parade at Paw Park, Skydome, SM North EDSA in Quezon City on December 28, 2023. The acitivity aims to discourage the use of firecrackers to protect pets from the trauma caused by the loud sounds of firecrackers. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

NEW YEAR-PETS

Francis Orcio

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176690581423920231228-iwas paputoxic-pet-parade-sm north-MT-14.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="An animal welfare group and an environmental health group hold a pet parade at Paw Park, Skydome, SM North EDSA in Quezon City on December 28, 2023. The acitivity aims to discourage the use of firecrackers to protect pets from the trauma caused by the loud sounds of firecrackers. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News "/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">An animal welfare group and an environmental health group hold a pet parade at Paw Park, Skydome, SM North EDSA in Quezon City on December 28, 2023. The acitivity aims to discourage the use of firecrackers to protect pets from the trauma caused by the loud sounds of firecrackers. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — With the New Year celebrations just days away, the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) renewed its call to ban and avoid the use of firecrackers, warning that animals remain the “number one victims” of the loud noise and toxic smoke that accompany the tradition.</p><p>In an interview on Sunday, December 28, PAWS Executive Director nna Cabrera said the organization continues its annual campaign to stop firecracker use, citing the harm it causes not only to pets and wildlife but also to people with respiratory conditions.</p><p>“Ang gusto talaga namin matigil na iyong pagpaputok tuwing New Year. Taon-taon ginagawa namin ito, [at] nababawasan naman sa palagay namin iyong gumagamit ng paputok. Kasi ito ay nakakapinsala sa ating mga alagang hayop. Sila iyong number one na biktima,” Cabrerad said.</p><p>PAWS added that they regularly record an increase in reports of animal cruelty, missing pets, and runaway dogs during New Year’s Eve, as animals panic and attempt to flee from the sound of explosions.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/public-service/2025/3/15/an-animal-welfare-advocate-s-paw-some-journey-from-volunteer-to-leader-1351">An animal welfare advocate’s ‘paw-some’ journey from volunteer to leader<br/></a></div><p>She recalled past incidents in which dogs were seriously injured or killed after escaping from their homes due to fear.</p><p>“Kung maalala niyo iyong sa Valenzuela, iyong naputol iyong dila ng aso, kaya iyon tumakbo palabas ay sa tindi ng takot sa paputok. So, talagang kawawa iyong mga aso at pusa dahil mas sensitive iyong pandinig nila,” she said.</p><p>(If you remember the case in Valenzuela, where a dog lost its tongue, it ran away because of intense fear of fireworks. Dogs and cats have more sensitive hearing, so they really suffer)</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/12/dswd-chief-offers-p100k-reward-vs-assailants-who-chopped-off-dog-s-tongue-1702">DSWD chief offers P100k reward vs. assailants who chopped off dog&#x27;s tongue<br/></a></div><p>Cabrera stressed that firecracker noise and smoke also harm wildlife and birds, with smaller animals being the most vulnerable.</p><p>“Kasi kita naman natin e’, maski sa tao, may epekto. So, what more doon sa mga maliliit na creatures na mas vulnerable,” she emphasized.</p><p>(You can see that even people are affected by firecrackers. What more the smaller creatures that are more vulnerable?)</p><p>PAWS also warned pet owners against leaving animals outdoors during New Year celebrations, saying this exposes them to extreme stress and danger. The group has received reports of dogs strangling themselves on their chains, escaping, or even dying after being left outside while firecrackers are set off nearby.</p><p>Cabrera said PAWS typically receives the bulk of its reports on lost dogs after December 31, as animals bolt from homes and yards in an attempt to escape the noise.</p><p>Beyond negligence, PAWS also raised alarm over deliberate acts of cruelty during the holiday season, including cases in which people throw firecrackers at stray animals for amusement.</p><p>“Nagkakaroon ng mga reports na may mga tao na naghahagis ng paputok sa mga stray dogs or stray cats bilang katuwaan. Ito ay animal cruelty at maari kayong mapatawan ng parusa, ng pagkakakulong na hanggang dalawang taon and fine of up to P250,000,” she explained.</p><p>(There are reports of people throwing firecrackers at stay dogs and cats for fun. That is animal cruelty and it carries a penalty of up to two years in prison and a fine of up to P250,000)</p><p>While continuing to urge the public to completely avoid firecrackers, PAWS acknowledged that some pet owners may still be exposed to fireworks in their neighborhoods.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/life/10/05/20/peta-reminds-public-to-keep-harmful-items-out-of-pets-reach-after-viral-pink-dogs">PETA reminds public to keep ‘harmful’ items out of pets&#x27; reach after viral pink dogs</a></div><p>Cabrera outlined measures to reduce stress in animals when firecrackers cannot be avoided.</p><p>She said pet owners should keep their animals indoors away from the noise. </p><p>Keeping them in an air-conditioned room could help keep them from being too stressed by the noise and smoke, she also said.</p><p>She added that pets should be kept in well-ventilated indoor areas away from smoke, with white noise or music played to help mask the sound of fireworks, and with safe hiding spaces available when animals feel overwhelmed.</p><p>As part of its advisory, PAWS also recommended the use of “calming” or “anxiety” wraps, snug-fitting vests that apply gentle, constant pressure, to help dogs cope with fear during stressful events like New Year’s Eve fireworks. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2024/12/24/-paw-some-holidays-how-to-make-christmas-new-year-revelries-safe-for-pets-0732">&#x27;Paw-some holidays&#x27;: How to make Christmas, New Year revelries safe for pets</a></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zbe7kVk5MY8?si=MkQPLfvZuC3Gefm2" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>With the New Year celebrations just days away, the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) renewed its call to ban and avoid the use of firecrackers, warning that animals remain the “number one victims” of the loud noise and toxic smoke that accompany the tradition.</p>

With the New Year celebrations just days away, the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) renewed its call to ban and avoid the use of firecrackers, warning that animals remain the “number one victims” of the loud noise and toxic smoke that accompany the tradition.

PAWS renews call to ban firecrackers in New Year revelry, says animals suffer most

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PAWS renews call to ban firecrackers in New Year revelry, says animals suffer most

Francis Orcio,

ABS-CBN News

Published Dec 28, 2025 04:02 PM PHT

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PAWS

Pets

New Year

Fireworks

Animals

Firecrackers

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