Every Diwali, our pets cower in fear as firecrackers go off across the city. This year, though, it’s time for Mumbai’s pooches to make some noise and stand up for their rights. And all they have to do is go on a walk with their humans! On Saturday, for the first time ever, pets in the city will go on a protest march along with their owners, to raise awareness about the impact that loud crackers have on animals. The march is being organised in collaboration by animal welfare groups, Extinction Rebellion and Bombay Animal Rights (BAR).

“Animals hear five times louder than humans, and they bear the brunt of the noise when we burst crackers. They can suffer bleeding ears, not to mention severe anxiety, which often results in them running away from home in panic, and getting into accidents or dog fights,” says Vijay Kishore Mohanani, founder of BAR.