War and armed conflict create acute animal welfare crises affecting both domestic animals and wildlife. The welfare challenges of conflict zones are distinct and often invisible to international audiences.
Conflict zones create rapid welfare collapse for animals dependent on human infrastructure. Dairy cows not milked suffer acute mastitis pain within days. Laying hens without feed and water die within 24-48 hours. Zoo animals in besieged cities have starved when food supply chains broke. Companion animals of fleeing refugees are frequently left behind when transport restrictions apply to animals — a source of significant welfare harm and human grief. Wildlife in war zones faces habitat destruction from explosives, displacement from safe areas, and opportunistic poaching when rule of law collapses. International response capacity is limited but organisations like Four Paws have demonstrated that animal welfare intervention in conflict zones is feasible.