Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events that create acute welfare crises for livestock, requiring preparedness planning and rapid response capabilities.
Extreme weather events create welfare emergencies for livestock that expose gaps in both individual farm preparedness and collective response systems. Heat waves cause heat stress and mortality with little warning; floods strand animals without food or escape; ice storms prevent water access. Individual farm preparedness — shade, ventilation, backup water systems, and emergency feed reserves — prevents some harm but cannot address events of unprecedented severity. Collective response systems including government emergency livestock welfare programs, veterinary first responder networks, and cross-sector coordination provide the additional capacity needed for major events. Climate change makes these investments increasingly urgent.