Natural disasters and climate events increasingly threaten billions of animals, with disaster response systems largely failing to address their needs.
Animals in disasters experience extreme fear, injury, dehydration, and death. Pets left behind in evacuations suffer for weeks before rescue. Farm animals in flooded facilities face drowning or prolonged exposure. Wildlife in wildfires experience thermal burns, smoke inhalation, and starvation from habitat destruction. Disaster response systems have been slow to recognize animal welfare as a priority.