Wild Animals

Welfare of Animals During Extreme Weather Events

Extreme weather events caused and intensified by climate change are creating acute welfare crises for both wild and domestic animals globally.

Key Facts

The 2019-2020 Australian bushfires killed or displaced an estimated 3 billion animals
Flash floods kill millions of ground-nesting birds and mammals annually
Heat waves caused mass die-offs of bats, fish, and birds in multiple countries
Wild animals caught in wildfires suffer burns, respiratory damage, and loss of habitat
Domestic animals abandoned during evacuations face prolonged suffering and death

Welfare Considerations

Extreme weather welfare crises are distinguished from background suffering by their acute, visible, and often preventable nature. Animals burned in wildfires spend days in agony without veterinary intervention. Flood survivors are trapped, starving, and dehydrated in isolated areas. These events demand both immediate response infrastructure and long-term mitigation through climate action as a welfare imperative.

What You Can Do

Include all companion animals in your emergency preparedness plans
Donate to wildlife disaster response organizations after major weather events
Support climate action as an animal welfare advocacy issue
Advocate for wildlife corridor infrastructure that enables animals to escape fire and flood