Armed conflicts cause immense suffering for animals — both domestic and wild — through direct violence, displacement, infrastructure collapse, and abandonment. Emerging organizations are working to address this neglected welfare crisis.
Animals in conflict zones suffer from direct violence, starvation following owner displacement, habitat destruction, noise trauma from artillery, and chemical contamination. Domesticated animals are particularly vulnerable when owners are killed or forced to flee. Mine and unexploded ordnance injuries cause terrible long-term suffering to livestock and wildlife in post-conflict landscapes. Integrating animal welfare into humanitarian response is increasingly recognized as both an ethical imperative and a food security concern.