Animal Welfare and Disaster Preparedness

Natural and man-made disasters disproportionately affect animals, and planning for animal welfare in emergency response is an increasingly recognised component of disaster management.

Key Facts

Studies show that people often refuse to evacuate during disasters if they cannot take their pets
Hurricane Katrina in 2005 prompted the PETS Act in the USA, requiring states to include animals in emergency plans
The 2019 Australian wildfires caused the deaths of an estimated 3 billion animals
Farm animals are frequently abandoned or left without care during human evacuations
Wildlife rescue capacity is overwhelmed during major disasters with limited pre-positioned resources
Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of disasters affecting both humans and animals

Welfare Considerations

Disaster preparedness for animals requires advance planning, resource pre-positioning, and integration of animal welfare into emergency management frameworks. This includes companion animal evacuation planning, farm animal emergency protocols, and wildlife rescue capacity building. The evidence from major disasters consistently shows that early, coordinated animal welfare responses save both animal and human lives.

What You Can Do

Make an emergency plan for your pets including evacuation routes, carrier bags, and food supplies
Register vulnerable animals with your local emergency management authority
Support animal disaster response organisations financially before emergencies occur
Advocate for your local authority to have a comprehensive animal emergency plan
Volunteer with animal welfare organisations to build disaster response capacity