Submission of the Pawprint Petition: Ban Private Sales of Fireworks on Behalf of the Animals of Aotearoa

While Guy Fawkes is a night of dazzling fireworks for some, it brings distress and danger to pets, farm animals, and wildlife. What many don’t realise is that fireworks aren’t limited to one night — their sale and use can occur year-round, creating ongoing fear and disruption for animals and their owners.

New Zealand’s leading pet care retailer – Animates – earlier this year submitted their Pawprint Petition to Parliament, calling for a ban on the public sale of fireworks. An oral submission on the petition will be heard by the Parliamentary Select Committee on Thursday, 6 November, just one day after Guy Fawkes.

Presented to Parliament by Greg Fleming (National MP) in June this year, the petition is backed by over 173,000 combined signatures and pawprints, and is supported by organisations including the SPCA, NZVA, and FENZ. This is over 10 times the support of any previous petition calling for a ban. This conversation didn’t begin with the Pawprint Petition; it has been building steadily for years, gaining momentum across New Zealand.

“Fireworks sold for private use are unpredictable in timing, volume, and location. Stockpiling means they are often set off outside controlled events or dates, making the risk to animals’ constant throughout the year. Our submission would like to see private sales of fireworks banned, and that only professional public displays should be permitted, supporting community celebration while protecting the welfare of animals,” says Nathalie Moolenschot, Animates, General Manager of Marketing.

As pet owners across Aotearoa brace again for the surge of fireworks noise and lights, the reality is this: for many animals, the spectacular is a source of prolonged fear and danger, far beyond one evening.

Even when used carefully, fireworks create sudden, loud, and unpredictable threats. Animals cannot distinguish fireworks from other dangers; the harm is real and measurable, and sadly, repeatable.

Supporting the petition with its formal submission to Parliament this Thursday, Animates is advocating a shift away from privately purchased fireworks towards professionally managed and notifiable, public displays that will help reduce the risk of injuries, escapes, and long-term trauma on animals.

According to Ms Moolenschot, legislative change is the only way to prevent this predictable harm. By banning the public sale of fireworks and focusing on licensed, professionally managed displays, animals and people can be protected whilst also reducing the burden on already pressured emergency services and maintaining the celebrations Kiwis cherish.

“Every year our stores, vet clinics, and farms are filled with stories of pets frozen with fear, livestock breaking fences in panic, and wildlife fleeing their habitat,” says Ms Moolenschot.

Key facts:

A 2019 study found 46–74% of cat and dog owners reported fear of fireworks, and 79% of horses became anxious or very anxious.

That same study recorded 345 animals severely injured in 2019, 14% which resulted in death. (reference 2025 SPCA Submission)

32+ emergency callouts occurred on Guy Fawkes 2024 alone, according to FENZ, with police service calls increasing 124% year on year.

Around 300 ACC claims are made each year for fireworks-related injuries, costing taxpayers more than $3 million.

According to Ms Moolenschot, fireworks aren’t just a momentary fright; they can cause lasting trauma or even death.

“And the worst part is, you never know when the next bang is coming. Even the best management strategies, like medication, safe rooms, and calming techniques, often fall short when fireworks are let off unpredictably year-round, sometimes months after Guy Fawkes. It’s not just companion animals. wildlife suffers too, often in silence,” says Ms Moolenschot.

“We understand some argue that fireworks are a time-honoured Kiwi tradition, and that private sales may support small businesses and community fundraising. However, the data shows the costs – in animal trauma, fire risk and emergency services burden – are significant and ongoing. By shifting to professionally managed public displays, we preserve celebration and spectacle while eliminating the unpredictable harm that comes with unregulated private use.”

The Select Committee hearing on 6November marks a crucial moment. If the petition is supported, NewZealand could move towards legislation banning the private sale of fireworks to the public — a move driven by animal welfare and community responsibility.

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