Use laser displays not fireworks – SPCA plea
Published December 16, 2009 | 
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA has urged the City of Cape Town to consider reducing the number of permits for fireworks in favour of laser shows for large events.
“Laser shows do not involve any loud sound effects, which are terrifying for animals and very often cause them to try and escape the sound, with sometimes traumatic and fatal consequences,” said the SPCA’s chief inspector, Andries Venter
Laser shows “are greener than fireworks as there is no noise, air or ground pollution and they are infinitely safer”.
Venter urged the city to inquire why applicants should use fireworks rather than “silent light effects or laser shows”.
He said the SPCA was strongly opposed to the use of fireworks. “Each year, in the lead-up to the festive season, the organisation braces itself to receive increasing numbers of animals requiring treatment and care as a direct result of fireworks used in and around Cape Town.”
Venter said the SPCA was burdened with treating stray and injured animals relying on public donations.
City of Cape Town spokesperson Charles Cooper said: “We don’t easily allow people to have fireworks displays.”
He said the city had only allowed two fireworks displays last year, and carefully considered each applicant.
Permits for a fireworks display, issued under the Firearms and Explosives Act, must be obtained from the relevant municipality and SAPS.
Cooper said events at which fireworks displays would be allowed to take place were not close to residential areas where animals could be harmed.
He agreed with the SPCA that animals could be harmed, and said the City of Cape Town often refused permits for fireworks displays.
Posted in Uncategorized | 
displays, Firework news, fireworks, laser, shows, SPCA, World news | 
Leave a commentJuly 4th Fireworks Shows Threatened by Budget Cuts Nationwide
Published May 1, 2009 | 
July 4th Fireworks Shows Threatened by Budget Cuts Nationwide
Across the nation, Fireworks Shows are either being threatened or canceled due to tight economic times.
Large corporate sponsored shows and smaller community sponsored shows are equally being threatened as festivals are having a difficult time to collect enough money to pay for fireworks displays.
As an example, after 44 years, Ivar’s Seafood Restaurants is Seattle, WA will not sponsor a July 4 fireworks show this summer. The Montauk, NY Music festival and Fireworks Display has fallen victim to budget cuts and could be threatened next year. The annual July 4th show in Edgewater FL was funded by local businesses last year, however this year’s fundraising efforts have failed to raise nearly enough to pay for the fireworks display.
However, communities and festival organizers are not going to give up easy. Just as budget cuts threatening displays, individuals and corporations in communities are stepping up to help fund the endangered fireworks shows.
Many organizers are using the new power of social networking and the internet to help raise funds.
As an example Penny Sweet of the Kirkland, WI July 4th festival is determined to help her communities Jult 4th display survive this though times.
“I think the 4th of July is such a precious event to this community that people will step forward,” says Sweet who has begun using social networking technologies like Twitter and Facebook to ask for donations.
Similar determination has saved many shows across the nation as festival organizers find creative alternative sources of funds. As an example, the Fourth of July fireworks show will go on as planned in Bay Minette, AL now that the City Council has agreed to help the Rotary Club pay for the annual display.
Dominator Fireworks will continue to monitor the state of fireworks displays across the nation and globally and keep the industry updated.
Recent Comments