Disasters — from floods to wildfires — cause enormous animal suffering. Integrating animal welfare into emergency response saves lives and reduces suffering at scale.
Disaster preparedness for animals saves lives — both animal and human. When emergency plans fail to accommodate pets and livestock, owners make dangerous decisions to remain with their animals. Pre-positioned animal emergency response resources, trained volunteer networks, temporary shelter capacity for animals, and integrated veterinary triage capabilities all reduce suffering during and after disasters. For wildlife, rapid-response rehabilitation networks and habitat protection in the recovery phase are critical. Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, making animal-inclusive emergency planning an urgent priority across all levels of government and civil society.