The departments of Animal Welfare and Fiestas in Santa Pola have joined forces with a local animal shelter and feline colony coordinators to launch an initiative aimed at protecting pets during the town’s patron saint celebrations. To reduce stress caused by pyrotechnics, two daily noise-free hours will be established, running from 9:30 to 10:30 in the morning and 15:30 to 16:30 in the afternoon.
The Councillor for Animal Welfare, Ángel Piedecausa, explained that the campaign seeks to raise public awareness about the distress caused to animals by loud fireworks and bangers. During these specified quiet hours, local residents and fiesta participants are being asked to refrain from letting off firecrackers, allowing pet owners a calm timeframe to walk their dogs. Piedecausa noted that while controlling noise entirely during celebrations is challenging, collective cooperation is vital to help animals that suffer from pyrotechnic noise.
As a symbolic gesture to support the campaign, the local council will distribute special neckerchiefs for pets featuring the motto “Gos fester, cor sensible” (Fiesta dog, sensitive heart), ensuring dogs can take part in the festivities safely.
The scheme has received strong praise from animal protection representatives. Rosa Rodríguez, president of the Santa Pola Animal Shelter, welcomed the initiative, highlighting how fireworks frequently lead to distressing incidents such as heart attacks, escapes, and road accidents involving frightened pets. Rosa López, coordinator for local feline colonies, also backed the campaign, emphasising that street cats and local wildlife similarly suffer from loud pyrotechnics and benefit from raised public awareness.
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