Eid ul Adha Pet Safety — Keep Your Pets Safe During Qurbani

Pets get scared and run during Eid ul Adha due to noise and sacrificial animals. Many go missing. Here's how to keep your dog or cat safe during Qurbani and what to do if they escape.

Why Pets Go Missing During Eid ul Adha

Eid ul Adha is the single biggest day for lost pet reports across Pakistan. Animal welfare organizations in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad all report spikes in missing pet calls in the 2-3 days surrounding Qurbani. The reasons are predictable:

Noise — repeated livestock sounds, unfamiliar animals, sounds of Qurbani — trigger panic in domesticated pets
Open gates — families let in goats, cows, or camels, and pets slip out unnoticed
Unfamiliar visitors — pets may flee social gatherings, especially timid or anxious animals
Blood and smell — the smell of Qurbani can trigger fear or confusion in dogs especially
Children excitedly running around — some pets perceive this as a threat

Before Eid ul Adha — Preparation Steps

1Secure all entry and exit points at least 2 days before Eid — check gate latches, door gaps, garden walls
2Ensure your pet has a QR collar tag (Nishaaan tags work perfectly on pet collars) so if they escape, any finder can contact you instantly
3Take a recent, clear photo of your pet — full body and face — before Eid, in case you need to make lost pet posters
4If your pet is particularly anxious, ask your vet about mild calming medication for the 2-3 days surrounding Qurbani
5Inform all household members and guests that the pet is inside and doors must be kept closed

On Eid Day Itself

Keep pets in one secure room with the door firmly closed — ideally a room far from the Qurbani area
Play calming music or white noise in the room to mask the sounds of Qurbani
If you have a dog, walk them early in the morning before animals arrive
Do not let pets interact with livestock animals — this is unsafe for both
Check on your pet frequently throughout the day
If you have a cat, check that windows with open gaps are secured — scared cats squeeze through surprisingly small spaces

🐾 QR pet tags save lives during Eid

Every year, hundreds of pets go missing during Eid ul Adha. Most are never found because finders have no way to contact the owner. A Nishaaan QR pet tag means any neighbor who spots your pet running loose can scan the tag with their phone and contact you instantly.

If Your Pet Goes Missing During Eid

1Act immediately — do not wait — every hour matters
2Search the immediate neighborhood — frightened pets often hide rather than wander far
3Ask neighbors who may be visiting mosques or gathering outside
4Post in local Facebook and WhatsApp groups immediately (use your area name + 'lost pet')
5Put up posters at the nearest masjid, chai shop, and pharmacy — these get seen quickly
6Contact local animal rescue groups — many increase their response during Eid

After Eid — Checking Your Pet

Even if your pet didn't go missing, check them for stress signs after Eid: not eating, hiding, excessive grooming, or aggression. A visit to the vet is worth it if behavior changes persist.