With firework displays being cancelled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are planning to revert to traditional backyard displays for their bonfire night festivities. However, while fireworks are fun for many of us, sadly they aren’t as much fun for our pets. So in the first of a new series, Emma Barton is joined by Blue Cross Animal Behaviourist, Claire Stallard, who shares her tips and advice on how you can keep pets feeling calm and safe during firework season. Emma, and Claire swap tips on how to ensure pets remain comfortable and protected when fireworks are going off within close proximity – and Emma shares her own experience of how she makes the occasion more manageable for her dog, Poppy. As well as providing insight on how to keep your own pets safe, Claire also offers advice for listeners who may be thinking about hosting their own firework display, and how they have a responsibility to their community: “COVID-19 has resulted in many public firework displays being cancelled increasing the potential for more back garden fireworks parties – which may cause a lot of problems this year. Therefore, it’s important to inform your neighbours with pets in advance if you are planning a private display so that they can put a plan of action into place. “Community Facebook groups can be a useful tool, as people will often post on them to warn neighbours about upcoming firework shows.”.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.