Elly happily hops around the grounds of DOA, the animal shelter where Anniek is a zookeeper. “When she hears fireworks, she just starts shaking completely. She prefers to hide in a corner of the house, she starts panting and I can no longer make contact with her.”
Every year, dog owners flee the city in search of peace and quiet for their pets. They often go to a pet-friendly hotel, but because they were already full, Anniek now – together with a friend – opts for the Afsluitdijk.
“I heard it’s very quiet there,” she says. “We make sure we drive away on time. Then we take tasty snacks with us, also for Elly, and then we wait in a parking lot until the fireworks are over.”
Taped up windows and soothing music
But then there are also the animals that stay in the city. DOA Animal Shelter houses approximately 125 shelter dogs and 275 cats. In addition, there are the overnight dogs and cats. And such a large group can sometimes incite each other due to the tension. Animal caretaker Esther Balfoort and her colleagues try to reduce stress as much as possible.