Protect Stray Animals During Diwali with Compassion and Care

Diwali is the festival of lights that symbolizes happiness, hope, and unity. The glow of diyas, colorful rangolis, and cheerful laughter fills every home. However, for stray animals during Diwali, this joyous celebration often turns into a nightmare. The sound of bursting firecrackers, flashing lights, and crowded streets can terrify dogs and cats struggling to survive on the streets.

Humane Society International found that nearly three out of ten dogs run away during Diwali due to panic caused by loud firecrackers. Many of them suffer injuries, get hit by vehicles, or lose their way in unfamiliar areas. Every year, firework celebrations injure around 20,000 stray dogs and kill thousands more. Stray cats face a similar tragedy, with 5,000–10,000 injuries and several deaths reported annually. Animal shelters struggle to manage the surge in rescues, as the number of stray dogs they take in rises by 70 percent, and rescued stray cats increase by nearly half.

Diwali is a nightmare for stray animals during Diwali, who suffer silently amid the celebrations.

The Hidden Dangers Diwali Brings to Stray Animals

 Painful Accidents and Burns Among Stray Animals During Diwali

The pecking of fireworks is accompanied by many homeless dogs and cats roaming nearby without any idea of the danger. The chemicals, debris, and sparks used in crackers may produce severe burns, eye damage, and injuries to paws. There are also animals that experience long-term hearing impairment as a result of exposure to loud sounds.

Anxiety and Panic Attacks in Stray Animals During Diwali

The hearing ability of a dog is nearly fourfold greater than that of a human being, and therefore, the cracker’s sound becomes intolerable. The explosions, flash, and mob cause disastrous panic. Scared animals tend to run around without any direction, failing to find protection. Lots of them lose their way and get into accidents or lose sight of their usual locations.

Behavioral and Emotional Distress

The fear and disorientation usually lead to a change in the behavior of an animal. Other stray dogs turn violent, whereas others will go without eating and will hide away for days. Cats can vanish down the pipes or lose themselves in crevices in order to avoid the noise. Even after Diwali is over, the psychological effect may persist.

Simple Ways to Protect Stray Animals This Diwali

Even a little effort can help stray animals during Diwali stay comfortable and safe in these stressful times.

Educate and Inspire Others

Discuss in your local community, workplace, or home about the effects of fireworks on animals. Get people exalted by lights, not by noise. One can also post about awareness on social media platforms to spread the message of responsible party.

Set Up Temporary Shelters for Stray Animals During Diwali

If you have any wandering pets like dogs or cats about, get them a bed of blankets or cardboard boxes or plastic covers, and place them in some secluded places like the garage or verandah. Such mini shelters can protect them against loud and cold nights.

Food and Fresh Water Leave Out

Most animals also remain locked away and unable to get food during Diwali. You can do it by putting a bowl of clean water and a few biscuits or rice before your gate. It is a little gesture of kindness that will allow a panicked animal to spend a night without any disturbances.

Being Mindful During the Festivities

Select a Less Noyisous Celebration

Use crackers with no sound or eco-friendly products to reduce harm to stray animals during Diwali. Having lights, music, and sweets is as happy without hurting animals.

Watch OutAnywhere, there are frightened animals.

Frightened cats and dogs may even run to your door or your balcony to be safe. Providing they can, allow them time to rest till things get settled down. They can be calmed down by giving them food or water.

Be Ready to Help

Keep the contact numbers of the local animal rescue centers or veterinarians. In case you see a wounded animal, call in to get assistance. Even such basic measures as wound care (washing) or providing shade can save lives until emergency services arrive.

After the Crackers Fade

Search for Animals that might require assistance.

On the morning after the celebration, walk around your neighborhood to check if stray animals during Diwali need help or shelter. Some may hide out of fear or exhaustion, so look carefully in quiet corners. If you find an animal that needs help, contact a local shelter right away.

Reuniting Lost Pets

Pets run away from the house because of the noise. Should you find a found animal that has a collar or a tag, call the owner or post it on social media or community pages. You could make a contribution to the safe delivery of a frightened pet.

Lighting Up Diwali with Compassion

Diwali is designed to bring happiness, not fear,  especially for stray animals during Diwali, who deserve peace and safety too. The only thing that is worth celebrating is compassion, and we should make sure that all creatures surrounding us are safe and cherished. This is because the transition to noisy, eco-friendly parties not only helps to save the wandering animals but also leaves the environment cleaner for all.

We are able to make our festivals meaningful when we take care of the animals with whom we live. Instead, we should prefer lights to noise and empathy to ignorance. May your Diwali shine this year with peace for human beings and animals, too.

Wish you Diwali and a happy evening with yourself and your furry family!

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