Animal Welfare in Disaster Response Planning

Companion animals and livestock are frequently neglected in disaster planning, causing preventable deaths and welfare crises during floods, fires, and other emergencies.

Key Facts

Studies show that people often refuse to evacuate if they cannot take their pets
Animals left behind in disasters face drowning, burning, starvation, and dehydration
Livestock at large in post-disaster environments create safety hazards and suffer greatly
Some jurisdictions now require animals to be included in emergency management plans
The US PETS Act of 2006 requires states to include animals in disaster planning to access federal funds

Welfare Considerations

Disaster planning that fails to account for animals creates cascading welfare problems. People who cannot evacuate with pets stay behind, increasing human casualties. Animals left in evacuated areas die from the immediate disaster or suffer prolonged deprivation when owners cannot return. Livestock escaping flooded or fire-damaged farms face severe welfare crises. Communities that develop comprehensive animal emergency plans — including pet-friendly evacuation transport, large animal rescue teams, and emergency boarding facilities — achieve better outcomes for both humans and animals. The cost of planning is trivial compared to the cost of post-disaster animal welfare crises.

What You Can Do

Develop a personal pet emergency plan including carriers, supplies, and designated safe locations
Advocate for your local authority to include animals in official emergency management plans
Support animal disaster response organisations that provide training and equipment
Know your nearest pet-friendly emergency shelter before a disaster strikes