We take a look at the he reality of animal cruelty in the tourist industry and how we can all avoid being part of the problem.
At Hopefield Animal Sanctuary, peace and safety are at the heart of everything we do. But on a cold November night in 2023, that peace was shattered when we lost Oleg and Herman, two beloved marmosets who quite literally died of fright as fireworks exploded near the sanctuary.
Their death was not an accident — it was entirely avoidable. It happened because fireworks were repeatedly set off beside the sanctuary, despite our ongoing pleas for compassion and awareness. Sadly, this wasn’t the first loss we have had because of fireworks… In 2019, we lost Popkei, a beautiful horse with heart failure whose stress from nearby fireworks proved too much. Each of these senseless losses highlights one truth: fireworks and animals are incompatible.
Set among the tranquil countryside of Brentwood, Essex, Hopefield Animal Sanctuary is home to almost 700 rescued animals – from horses, donkeys and pigs, to alpacas, reptiles, and small primates like Oleg, Herman and Jimbo. Many of our residents come from neglect, abuse or abandonment. They are fragile – physically and emotionally – and rely on a calm, predictable environment to thrive. When fireworks erupt nearby, that peace vanishes. The loud bangs and vibrations cause fear, panic, disorientation and even physical collapse. For older or unwell animals, this can – and has been – fatal.
Oleg & Herman (2023): Two marmosets whose hearts stopped from pure terror during consecutive nights of fireworks. Their companion, Jimbo, was left grieving for his family and it took a long time for him to be happy again. Marmosets are social animals and thrive in groups, so to have been left alone was heartbreaking for him in every way.
Popkei (2019): A Friesian horse whose already fragile health deteriorated rapidly after being frightened by fireworks set off nearby. He was such a gentleman and did not deserve to die terrified.
These were not isolated incidents — they show a devastating pattern. When fireworks explode near animal sanctuaries, real lives are lost, something that we see across the country happening at other animal sanctuaries too.
It’s deeply disappointing to see some local farm parks and animal attractions still choosing to host large firework displays on their grounds. These are places that, like us, claim to care for animals, yet they are actively disregarding their welfare for the sake of ticket sales and profit. To justify it by saying “our animals are used to it” ignores both science and empathy. No animal ever truly becomes “used to” the unpredictable, deafening blasts of fireworks. An animal’s natural instinct is fear, not understanding. At Hopefield we find it impossible to comprehend how any organisation built around animal care could willingly subject them to such distress. True compassion means putting welfare before entertainment – NOT the other way around. Hats off to the local animal attractions who we know are having ‘quiet’ displays – this is so the way forward.
Many of you reading this will have cats or dogs who tremble and hide when fireworks go off — maybe you comfort them under the table, turn up the TV, or stay home to keep them calm. Now, imagine not just one or two frightened pets, but 700 animals, all terrified, all reacting in their own ways, for weeks on end. That’s our reality at Hopefield every fireworks season. Horses pacing and sweating in panic, pigs trembling in their pens, small primates crying out and clinging to one another – it’s heartbreaking to witness. Our dedicated staff and volunteers stay through the night to soothe and monitor them, but no amount of care can undo the fear caused by those explosions.
Fireworks may be entertainment to many, but to animals, they bring chaos and fear. Here’s why fireworks are so harmful to animals:
Heightened sensitivity: Most animals have far sharper hearing than humans. A “loud pop” to us can be an unbearable explosion to them.
Panic response: Fireworks trigger a fight-or-flight reaction — animals can bolt, injure themselves or others, or even suffer heart attacks.
Emotional trauma: Animals with histories of abuse or abandonment relive their fear and distress when fireworks erupt nearby.
Sanctuary impact: Staff must comfort, monitor, and treat distressed animals – increasing workload, costs and risk.
When you set off fireworks near a sanctuary, you may not see the suffering, but it’s happening – behind every bang, there’s fear, and turning a blind eye doesn’t change the fact that our animals are put under immense and unnecessary distress every year, despite our pleas to our neighbours (including flyer dropping within the area).
Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, it’s an offence to cause an animal unnecessary suffering if:
Offenders can face fines up to £20,000 and/or six months in prison.
Further, UK fireworks regulations prohibit setting off fireworks near livestock or buildings housing animals. Firing them close to a sanctuary could therefore breach both fireworks law and animal welfare law. So while it might feel like harmless fun, lighting fireworks near animal sanctuaries like Hopefield can be illegal, unethical, and deadly.
Your choices make all the difference. Here’s how to celebrate responsibly:
Avoid private fireworks near sanctuaries, farms, or animal homes.
Choose low-noise fireworks – they’re safer and more considerate.
Attend organised public displays away from residential or animal areas.
Warn neighbours with pets or livestock before any event.
Support Hopefield’s campaign for a quieter, kinder celebration season.
Share this message – help others understand that fireworks and animals simply don’t mix.
If you live near Hopefield, please avoid lighting fireworks in or around Sawyers Hall Lane, Brentwood, CM15 9BZ. Even distant bangs travel far across our fields.
Hopefield’s mission is to give abused and neglected animals a peaceful, loving home — a safe haven where fear no longer rules. When fireworks are set off close by, that peace is destroyed in seconds. We’re not asking for fireworks to stop — just for understanding, distance and compassion.
This Bonfire Night, New Year’s Eve, or Diwali, please remember Oleg, Herman and Popkei, and make a conscious choice to celebrate responsibly – because no animal should ever lose its life to entertainment.
💚 Visit: www.hopefield.org.uk
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