Companion Animals

Companion Animal Emergency Preparedness Welfare

Pet owners who fail to plan for emergencies leave companion animals vulnerable to abandonment, injury, and death during disasters.

Key Facts

Over 600,000 pets were abandoned during Hurricane Katrina
Many people refuse evacuation rather than leave pets behind, increasing human risk
Pet-friendly evacuation planning significantly increases compliance
Emergency veterinary contact and medication supplies are critical for chronic illness pets

Welfare Considerations

Lack of emergency planning leads to catastrophic welfare outcomes for companion animals during disasters. Animals abandoned in evacuated areas face starvation, flood, and fire. Advance planning including evacuation routes, pet-friendly accommodation, and medication supplies prevents predictable welfare emergencies.

What You Can Do

Create an emergency plan that includes pet evacuation procedures
Keep a go-bag for pets with food, medication, and records
Identify pet-friendly accommodation options on evacuation routes
Microchip pets and keep contact information current to enable reunion if separated