Regions frequently affected by natural disasters need integrated animal welfare response planning.
Animal welfare in disaster response is both a humanitarian and economic issue in disaster-prone regions. Livestock represent savings and livelihoods for rural families — their loss to floods, cyclones, and earthquakes can be catastrophic. Companion animal welfare during disasters is also a significant concern as evacuations routinely leave animals behind. Building animal welfare into disaster preparedness plans — through livestock early warning systems, animal evacuation protocols, and post-disaster restocking programs — saves both animal lives and human livelihoods.