The cat welfare charity describes the consultation, which loses at 11.59pm on October 7, as a ‘valuable opportunity’ for pet owners to share stories of their pet’s fearful experiences with fireworks.

 

Respondents will help inform proposals which seek to reduce the impact of excessively loud and unpredictable displays. The consultation asks whether the maximum noise limit for consumer fireworks should be lowered, and whether louder fireworks should be restricted to professional users.

 

It considers whether products which pose an unacceptable risk should be banned, as well as reflecting on existing rules covering lower-risk fireworks and pyrotechnics.

 

As part of this investigation, the government is inviting evidence regarding any positive impact of reducing the noise level of fireworks available to the general public.

 

Cats Protection has called for proposals to go further, with the sale of fireworks to the general public limited to Category F1 products only. This would see larger fireworks used at licensed displays only.

 

Meanwhile, at these displays, the charity wants to see the maximum permitted noise level of fireworks reduced.

 

The charity’s stance comes as its 2026 research reveals that 69 per cent of cat owners had said their cat had been negatively affected by fireworks. This is up from 65 per cent in 2025.

 

Charlotte Broad, advocacy and campaigns manager at Cats Protection, said: "Cats Protection has consistently called on the Government to strengthen protections for both people and animals from the impact of fireworks. This consultation gives pet owners a rare opportunity to tell the Government directly about the effect fireworks can have on their animals.

 

"We know loud and unpredictable fireworks can cause significant distress for cats. They may retreat and hide, attempt to flee or remain on edge long after the noise has ended. Owners can also feel helpless because fireworks are often set off without warning.

 

"We are encouraging anyone who has witnessed the impact on their cat or another animal to respond before the deadline. You do not need to be an expert and there is no requirement to answer every question. Cats Protection has put together a guide to help respond to the Government’s consultation.”

 

Cats Protections’ guide can be accessed here.