Why We Built Firework Pet Alert
A quick heads-up changes everything
If you’ve ever been sat trying to support a pet who’s trembling due to the sudden sound of fireworks going off somewhere outside you know the helpless feeling of being caught completely off guard. The stress and frustration is real. But this isn’t a post calling for bans. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.
My name’s Mick. I’m a Carer, IT professional and an avid pyrotechnics enthusiast, and together with my friend Jim from LeedsFireworks, who works directly in the fireworks industry, we founded Firework Pet Alert. We sit on both sides of the fence: we love the magic of a great display, but we also care deeply about animal welfare.
Fireworks hold a deeply personal meaning for our family. On one hand, they mark a massive celebration of life—the anniversary of our daughter who was born seven weeks premature. On the other hand, they are a recognition of past life, honoring our first daughter who passed away a few years prior. For us, fireworks represent both joy and remembrance all at once. We completely understand why people love to celebrate for all sorts of reasons, but we also deeply understand why pet owners need a heads-up.
The problem isn’t celebration. It’s surprise.
Working in and around the industry, Jim and I saw the same pattern over and over. Organizers doing everything by the book—council notifications, safety checks, risk assessments. Yet the next morning, local Facebook groups would be flooded with posts: “Did anyone else hear those? My dog was terrified.”. No one single place to register a fireworks display…. Until now!
Most pet owners aren’t asking for fireworks to be banned—they are just asking for time. Time to bring pets indoors, close the curtains, adjust walk times, and set up a calm space.
So we built Firework Pet Alert.
Firework Pet Alert is a free UK service designed to bridge the gap between those using fireworks and local residents.
It takes less than 60 Seconds to register a display—just a date, time, and postcode. We then instantly notify any signed-up residents in the surrounding sound radius. No exact addresses are shared, and no one is judged for having a display. It’s just a respectful, neighborly heads-up.
Who benefits?
Everyone. Pet owners get the vital time they need to secure their animals. Parents of young children can plan bedtimes. People with PTSD, autism, or noise sensitivities can prepare safely. And those using fireworks can show their local community that they care.
Want to get involved?
If you’re planning a display—from a massive professional show to a small family box of rockets in the garden—register it here for free.
If you live in the UK and want a respectful warning when fireworks are happening near you, sign up for alerts here. It takes less than a minute.
— Mick & Jim, Founders of Firework Pet Alert