More than 40 local authorities including Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire County Councils will have RSPCA-backed rules and policies in place aimed at keeping animals and people safer this Guy Fawkes Night.

In recent years, the animal welfare charity has been working with local authorities across England and Wales - urging them to introduce specific measures aimed at improving public awareness and preparedness around the Bonfire Night celebrations.

Many councillors have put forward RSPCA-backed notices of motion to council meetings urging their local authority to adopt the measures - while others have amended council rules and regulations in the aim of offering more support to vulnerable people, pets, livestock and wildlife. 

Across England and Wales, 41 local authorities - including 27 in England and 14 in Wales - have introduced some RSPCA-backed measures to help protect animals from fireworks. In addition, a number of other Councils have also downloaded the RSPCA's dedicated toolkit for local authorities to support their work locally.

The measures adopted by the dozens of councils making a difference this fireworks season include public awareness campaigns about the impact of fireworks on animals, ensuring all displays on council land are advertised far in advance so residents can take necessary precautions, and promoting the sale of quieter or low-noise fireworks to local businesses.

Lee Gingell, RSPCA public affairs manager for local government, said: “It's really positive that so many local authorities have taken proactive steps to help protect animals during the fireworks season - and we hope these measures will ease the stress and fear many animals experience at this time of year. “We’ve worked with councils across England and Wales on a suite of policies aimed at helping pet owners feel prepared, and ensuring our communities are planning ahead and considering the risks to animals. “From awareness campaigns, to encouraging businesses to stock lower noise fireworks, and advertising displays in advance, there’s loads of great work going on at a local authority level ahead of this Guy Fawkes Night; and many councils have helped us by urging the UK Government to take further action too. It’s a great reminder of what we can achieve together for animal welfare.

“We'd like to thank all the councillors and councils across England and Wales who've worked with us - and would urge others to consider best practice and ensure these positive measures are implemented in all local communities across England and Wales.”

In Wales, councils who have backed the RSPCA recommended measures are as follows: