Chatham Area Transit Nabs Award for Anti-Fireworks PSA Blitz

Public Transportation Company Protects Animals by Running ‘4THeir Sakes, 4get the Fireworks’ PETA Ad on Buses Ahead of Fourth of July

For Immediate Release:
July 2, 2018

Contact:
Brooke Rossi 202-483-7382

A Compassionate Business Award is on its way from PETA to Savannah-based Chatham Area Transit for running the group’s anti-fireworks PSA, which urges people not to set off firecrackers or fireworks this Fourth of July because of the harm that they can inflict on animals. The potentially lifesaving ad, which will appear on the interior of 63 buses, shows a dog, cat, and exploding firecrackers alongside the words “4THeir Sakes, 4get the Firecrackers! Fireworks Terrify Animals.”

During fireworks displays, dogs have jumped fences, broken chains, torn through screens, and even leaped through glass doors in panicked attempts to escape the blasts. Animal shelters become flooded with lost animals, some of whom never make it back to their guardians. Fireworks can also be deeply disturbing to the elderly and people living with post-traumatic stress disorder and can aggravate the symptoms of those suffering from respiratory problems.

“Thanks to the compassion of Chatham Area Transit, countless people on the move this summer will be exposed to the important message that fireworks and animals don’t mix,” says PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. “PETA’s ad encourages folks to help make America’s birthday a happy occasion for everyone simply by forgoing explosive firecrackers in favor of kind forms of entertainment.”

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—encourages families to protect their animal companions by keeping them indoors (and, if possible, staying with them), never leaving them tethered outside, closing the blinds, and turning on a loud fan, soothing music, or the television to help drown out the frightening noises. Guardians can also purchase a Thundershirt to help ease animals’ stress and should ensure that their animal companions are microchipped and wearing collars with current identification tags.

Chatham Area Transit will receive a framed certificate and delicious vegan chocolates donated from Harbor Candy Shop.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.