Policy

Animal Welfare in Disaster Preparedness Planning

Local and national emergency planning systems rarely incorporate animal welfare adequately, leaving pets and livestock at severe risk during disasters.

Key Facts

Only 16% of US counties have formal animal emergency response plans
Hurricane Katrina demonstrated catastrophic failure of animal evacuation planning
Many people refuse to evacuate without their pets, endangering human lives
Livestock in flood zones often drown due to inadequate evacuation provisions
FEMA now requires states to have animal emergency response plans to receive funding

Welfare Considerations

Animals abandoned during disasters suffer prolonged fear, dehydration, injury, and death when emergency systems fail to account for them. Livestock trapped in flooded facilities drown over hours. Wildlife displaced by wildfires and floods face mass mortality. Human refusal to evacuate without pets creates additional human safety risks. Comprehensive animal emergency planning reduces suffering for both animals and people.

What You Can Do

Create a pet emergency plan including identification, supplies, and evacuation routes
Advocate for animal-inclusive emergency planning in your community
Support organizations that provide disaster response for animals
Include proof of ownership documentation in pet emergency kits