Livestock in Disasters: Animal Welfare During Floods, Fires, and Extreme Weather

Climate change is increasing the frequency of extreme weather events that devastate livestock populations. Emergency preparedness and rapid response are critical for animal welfare.

Key Facts

The 2019-20 Australian bushfires killed or displaced an estimated one billion animals including large numbers of livestock
Flooding is the most common natural disaster affecting livestock globally, causing drowning, disease outbreaks, and feed shortages
Smoke inhalation during bushfires causes respiratory injury, eye damage, and hoof sloughing in surviving cattle and horses
Emergency livestock evacuation requires specific planning — standard emergency vehicles cannot accommodate large animals
Post-disaster disease outbreaks including anthrax, leptospirosis, and foot-and-mouth disease increase welfare burdens
Farm emergency plans are legally required in some jurisdictions but voluntary and uncommon in others
Farmers experience significant mental health impacts from livestock losses, affecting their ability to respond effectively
Community-based livestock emergency response networks have improved outcomes in rural Australia, the USA, and Europe

Welfare Considerations

Livestock welfare in disasters is shaped by preparedness, response capacity, and community support systems. Animals caught in floods may drown or survive with hypothermia, exhaustion, and injuries from debris. Fire survivors face weeks or months of respiratory compromise, chronic hoof pain, and secondary infections. The welfare harm in disasters is not only acute: surviving animals in damaged infrastructure face ongoing deprivation of feed, water, shelter, and veterinary care as farmers struggle to recover. Mental health impacts on farmers — who often identify strongly with their animals and their land — compound the welfare response deficit. Preparedness measures with direct welfare benefits include: knowing which animals to prioritise for evacuation, maintaining emergency water and feed reserves, having emergency contact lists for veterinary and equipment support, and practising loading unfamiliar animals before an emergency. Post-disaster welfare triage must distinguish animals that can recover from those for whom prompt euthanasia is the most humane option — a decision that requires veterinary support and clear guidance.

What You Can Do

Develop and maintain a farm emergency plan that includes animal evacuation priorities and contacts
Support rural fire and emergency services that include livestock rescue capacity
Donate to animal welfare organisations that deploy disaster response teams for livestock
Advocate for inclusion of animal welfare in national disaster preparedness legislation and planning
Support farmer mental health services — the human welfare of farmers is inseparable from livestock welfare outcomes
Learn about community livestock emergency networks in your region and support their capacity