How to keep your animals safe from fireworks

As Bonfire Night draws closer, RSPCA Cymru is giving advice on how to keep pets, farm animals and wildlife safe from fireworks.

Many animals find fireworks frightening, but experts say firework phobia in pets is a treatable condition.

Pet owners can seek advice from their vets to help pets cope around firework season.

In 2016, the animal welfare charity received 27 calls relating to fireworks in Wales during October and November.

RSPCA advices pet owners to prepare for Bonfire Night by:

• Making sure dogs and cats have somewhere to hide - under some furniture or in a cupboard - and can get to their hiding place any time

• Ensuring pets are kept in a safe and secure environment and can't escape

• Making sure pets are microchipped in case they do escape

• During fireworks season, walking dogs in the daylight and keeping pets indoors when fireworks are likely to be set off

• Closing windows and curtains and putting on music to mask and muffle the sound of fireworks in the evenings

It is not just pets that are affected by fireworks.

Farm animals can be easily frightened by loud noises and sudden flashes of bright light, which can cause them to injure themselves on fencing or farm equipment.

Fireworks can also cause a disturbance to wild animals.

RSPCA Cymru says wildlife can be burnt alive after making their home in bonfires.

If a member of the public sees an animal they are concerned about during the fireworks, they can call the RSPCA's emergency line on 0300 1234 999.