Welfare of Animals in Disasters: Response, Rescue, and Preparation

How natural disasters affect companion, farm, and wild animals, and the growing field of animal emergency response and preparedness.

Key Facts

Hurricane Katrina resulted in the abandonment or death of an estimated 600,000 pets
PETS Act (2006) requires US state disaster plans to address pet and service animal needs
Many people refuse to evacuate without their animals, creating human safety risks
Farm animal emergency preparedness is significantly less developed than companion animal response
Wild animals displaced by disasters face starvation, injury, and exposure to new threats

Welfare Considerations

Disasters create acute welfare emergencies for animals at all scales. Companion animals separated from owners face starvation, injury, and psychological distress. Farm animals in flood or fire zones may be trapped, injured, and die in large numbers. Wild animals displaced by fires, floods, or other disasters face compounded threats. The field of animal emergency response has grown significantly since Hurricane Katrina demonstrated the costs of ignoring animal welfare in disaster planning. Integration of animal response into human emergency management systems, preparation by individual animal owners, and community-level planning all contribute to better outcomes in disasters.

What You Can Do

Create an emergency plan for your pets including evacuation routes and supply kits
Keep current ID tags and microchip registrations for all companion animals
Support local animal rescue organizations that respond to disasters
Advocate for farm animal welfare to be included in regional emergency management plans
Volunteer with or donate to organizations that provide animal disaster response