Forty-eight dogs were brought to the Cranbourne Lost Dogs Home shelter in the 24 hours after the new year fireworks.

Now staff are expecting another influx after Australia Day.

The shelter's general manager of operations Sue Conroy said dogs would have a heightened sensitivity to fireworks and thunderstorms for some time after the terror of New Year's Eve.

Many of the rescued dogs were severely traumatised, with worn pads on their feet, and suffering badly from exhaustion, she said.

"There are some awful injuries suffered when pets escape backyards in a panic and lives can be lost when they make it out onto busy roads and streets."

Ms Conroy said incidents of fireworks in the suburbs appeared to be increasing.

They were once largely confined to Guy Fawkes night in November but were now an integral part of celebrations on New Year's Eve, AFL grand final day and Christmas Day.

"We're not anti-fireworks," Ms Conroy said. "The ones in the city are fine - there's a small population of animals and everyone knows when they're going to go off.

"What we're against is illegal fireworks. They're getting worse. They start before Christmas and they can go off at any time. They could go off next door at 10pm. You can't plan around them and that's the killer."

Senior Sergeant Phil Atkins of Narre Warren police said police were aware of the problem but it was difficult to police. "We get calls about illegal fireworks but when we get there it's almost impossible to tell where they're coming from."

He said to his knowledge there had been no recent prosecutions for setting off fireworks.

"On the scale of things, it's not a big issue for police. It happens twice a year - on New Year's Eve and Australia Day.

"The big issue is the effect on pets, and owners have to take responsibility. That means locking their pets inside for the night."

Forty-seven of the 48 dogs taken to the Cranbourne shelter on New Year's Day have been reclaimed by their owners.

"Shelter staff were pleased that many of the dogs had ID - often out of date - which gave staff a lead to try to locate owners," Ms Conroy said.