Science and Policy

Emergency Planning for Animal Welfare in Disasters

Animal welfare in emergency planning requires integrating animals into evacuation, rescue, and recovery frameworks that historically excluded them.

Key Facts

Hurricane Katrina resulted in 250,000 animals stranded — a welfare and public health crisis
The PETS Act (2006) requires US emergency plans to include pets and service animals
Farm animal emergency planning remains largely underdeveloped in most countries
Early evacuation of animals significantly reduces mortality in rapidly developing disasters

Welfare Considerations

The failure to plan for animals in emergencies multiplies welfare harms. People who refuse to evacuate without pets create rescue complications and human safety risks. Farm animals trapped in flooding or fire face prolonged suffering. Including animals in emergency planning — identifying high-welfare evacuation routes, designating animal emergency shelters, and training responders — reduces preventable welfare harm.

What You Can Do

Create an emergency plan for all your animals including evacuation destinations
Support local emergency management bodies developing animal-inclusive protocols
Donate to animal emergency response organizations
Advocate for farm animal inclusion in government emergency preparedness planning