Disaster events including floods, wildfires, and hurricanes create acute welfare crises for companion animals, livestock, and wildlife, requiring coordinated emergency response planning.
Disaster preparedness for animals has received increasing policy attention following high-profile welfare failures, but gaps remain significant especially for livestock and wildlife. The human-animal bond is so strong that many people will not evacuate without their companions, creating a public safety case for animal-inclusive disaster planning alongside the welfare argument. Livestock disaster planning remains inadequate in most jurisdictions, with millions of animals dying preventably in floods and fires. Wildlife emergency response requires specialized rehabilitation infrastructure that most regions lack. Proactive planning, pre-positioned resources, and trained response teams are essential investments.