Natural disasters including floods, wildfires, and hurricanes cause mass animal suffering. Integrating animal welfare into disaster response planning saves lives and reduces suffering.
Animals are disproportionately affected by natural disasters because they cannot self-evacuate and owners are often forced to abandon them. Post-disaster animals face dehydration, starvation, burns, and injuries that require urgent veterinary care. Including animal welfare in emergency management planning — for companion animals, livestock, and wildlife — reduces suffering and also helps human communities recover more effectively.