The problem was compounded by the fact that there is no "set" day for fireworks to be let off with the "fireworks season" going on for several days - and in some communities - for several weeks.
"Some animals react to fireworks in the same way that they react to the loud bang associated with gun shots or thunder during a bad storm," he said.
"Dogs can even be destructive in their attempts to find somewhere they feel safe and this can cause physical damage to property as well as themselves."
Pets coped best indoors in a quiet, secure environment. Dogs and cats might find their own safe place to hide away in the house but others would benefit from distraction with toys, music or the sound of TV, their statement said.
Dogs not allowed inside should be kept in a secure kennel and collared with a tag clearly identifying their home address should they escape. Ideally, dogs should be microchipped and registered to ensure that if they are picked up by authorities, they can be scanned and returned to their owner.
Veterinarian Kate Heller discovered first-hand how distressed dogs could get around fireworks when her parents, Matthew and Helen, visited her home with their dog, Milly.
The former rescue dog was taken in by the Hellers as a 1-year-old and enjoyed the free run of their 10 acre avocado orchard in tranquil rural Katikati.
However, a visit to Dr Heller's Tauranga home this time last year revealed a side to Milly that no one in her adopted family had seen before.
The whippet-basenji cross became so agitated after hearing the sound of fireworks going off around the neighbourhood that Dr Heller was forced to take Milly into her Cameron Rd clinic and sedate her.
"She just went ballistic," Mrs Heller said.
"She was so terrified of the fireworks noise that she was almost hyperventilating and crying. I'd never seen an animal react that way."
In anticipation of this year's Guy Fawkes, the Hellers have anti-anxiety medication readily available for Milly to settle her nerves.
"We expect we'll need it handy for at least a couple of weeks to calm her nerves and keep her happy."
Tips to keep your pets safe during the fireworks period
- Always keep dogs and cats inside when fireworks are being let off. Walk and feed your animals before the fireworks start.
- Close all windows and doors, and block off cat flaps to stop pets escaping and to keep noise to a minimum.
- Ensure dogs are wearing some form of identification if they do escape. They should at least have a collar and tag. Fit your dog with a microchip for easy tracing.
- Stay relaxed, act normally around your animals and praise good behaviour.
- Turn on some music or TV to disguise the noise.
- Most importantly, don't let fireworks off anywhere near animals.