Hurricane Preparedness and Animal Welfare

Hurricane preparedness planning that includes animals saves both human and animal lives.

Key Facts

Many people refuse to evacuate without their pets creating human safety risks
Animals left behind in hurricane zones face drowning starvation and injury
The PETS Act mandated animal evacuation planning at the federal level
Post-hurricane reunification of separated animals is chaotic without identification

Welfare Considerations

Hurricanes create predictable animal welfare crises that can be significantly reduced through preparedness. Many people refuse to evacuate without their pets. Animals left behind face drowning, starvation, and injury. The PETS Act mandated animal evacuation planning at the federal level but implementation remains uneven. Creating robust animal evacuation plans with designated animal-friendly shelters, mandatory microchipping, and emergency foster networks reduces both animal and human casualties.

What You Can Do

Create a written emergency evacuation plan that includes all pets and livestock
Microchip and tag all animals and keep records current
Research pet-friendly emergency shelters in your area before a storm
Support animal-inclusive emergency management in your community