Fireworks cause acute stress in domestic and wild animals — mitigation strategies reduce harm.
Fireworks cause acute welfare harm to dogs, cats, horses, and wildlife. Dogs that bolt in fear are frequently injured by vehicles or become lost. Horses can injure themselves in panic. Wild birds and mammals show flight responses that disrupt breeding and foraging. The welfare harm is predictable, recurring, and partially preventable. Sound-dampening environments, veterinary anxiety medication, and public education all reduce individual animal harm.