Animal Welfare and Climate Change Adaptation

Climate change is creating new and intensifying existing animal welfare challenges across all sectors, requiring proactive adaptation strategies.

Key Facts

Climate change is increasing heat stress events in both livestock and wildlife globally
Sea level rise and storm surge are destroying wildlife habitat and creating emergency welfare crises
Changing seasonal patterns create phenological mismatches between animals and their food sources
Disease ranges are expanding as warming allows pathogen vectors to colonize new areas
Adaptation strategies for farmed animals include breed selection, housing modification, and cooling systems

Welfare Considerations

Climate change is transforming animal welfare challenges at unprecedented speed. Farmed animals are experiencing more frequent and severe heat stress events. Wild animals face food timing mismatches, habitat loss from sea level rise, and expanding disease ranges. Companion animals face new parasite and pathogen threats as tick and mosquito ranges expand. Addressing climate change as an animal welfare issue requires both mitigation — reducing emissions to limit warming — and adaptation strategies that help animals cope with already-locked-in climate change impacts.

What You Can Do

Support climate action as the most impactful long-term animal welfare intervention available
Advocate for farm animal climate adaptation programs including cooling infrastructure
Support wildlife corridor programs that allow climate-driven habitat range shifts
Reduce personal carbon footprint recognizing the animal welfare co-benefits of climate action