As Danes prepare to celebrate the New Year with fireworks, pet owners across the country are bracing for a long and noisy night. Many animals struggle with stress and fear, leaving owners searching for ways to keep them safe and calm.
Fireworks Bring Fear for Pets
When the town hall bells ring in the New Year, bright flashes and loud bangs light up the Danish sky. For people, it is a time of joy, but for animals, it can be terrifying. At animal shelters like Bornholm’s Animal Rescue Center, staff say that every year around this time, more people call for help. Cats and dogs often panic and run away, confused by the noise and lights.
The shelter, located outside the town of Østerlars, tends to be quieter than the city, making it a refuge for frightened animals. Many owners even arrange for their cats to stay there for a few days during the New Year period. They simply want a calm place where their pets can feel safe, away from bustling fireworks displays.
Horses Also React to Noise
Not only cats and dogs are affected. Horses can become extremely anxious, sometimes refusing to eat. On the outskirts of Rønne, one horse owner has learned from experience that her Icelandic horse, Hildur, becomes restless as soon as fireworks start. To protect her animals, she shuts the stable windows to block flashes of light and plays gentle background music instead of turning on the radio or television.
Even though horses are kept outside for most of the day, they are brought into the stable early on New Year’s Eve, long before the first rockets are fired. The owner admits it is tough for the animals to be confined for so many hours, but says it is safer for them than being startled by noise in the open.
Comfort and Distraction
To make the long night easier, many stable owners across Denmark prepare small comforts. They give horses extra hay, apples, and carrots, and often hang branches or leaves to keep them occupied. These simple adjustments can make a big difference when the sounds of celebration echo through the night.
Interestingly, the owner does not believe fireworks should be banned completely. Instead, she believes people and policymakers should focus on improving animal welfare during these celebrations. Her attitude reflects a wider mood among Danes, many of whom love the tradition of fireworks but also recognize the stress it causes animals.
Keeping Pets Safe at Home
Every year, the national animal protection hotline receives hundreds of calls from people who have lost their pets during New Year’s Eve. Panic often drives dogs and cats to run off in fear, sometimes ending up miles away from their homes.
Animal welfare experts suggest several preventive steps. Keep cats indoors not only on New Year’s Eve but also the days before and after, as fireworks are often fired illegally outside the allowed dates. When walking dogs, always keep them on a leash and avoid noisy areas. Close blinds and curtains during the celebration, and turn on the radio or TV to soften the outside noise. These precautions help reduce the emotional strain on pets that cannot understand what is happening.
Because many owners also worry about injuries or stress-related illnesses resulting from noise, there has been a rising interest in pet insurance in Denmark, which can offer financial support if an animal needs medical care after a frightening episode.
Fireworks and Tradition
Despite the challenges, few Danes want to give up fireworks altogether. They remain a deeply rooted part of the New Year tradition. However, awareness about animal welfare is growing. More communities are considering designated fireworks zones and shorter time limits to reduce stress for both pets and wildlife.
In the end, New Year’s Eve is a shared celebration between people and their communities. For pet owners, it is also a reminder of responsibility and care. While the skies light up in brilliant color, many Danes will be quietly comforting their furry friends indoors, making sure the night passes safely and calmly.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: Pet Insurance in Denmark Surge – Danish Owners Frustrated
The Danish Dream: Best Pet Health Insurance in Denmark for Foreigners
TV2: Dyreejere kan forvente et uroligt døgn
