Emergency Response

Animal Welfare in Disasters and Emergencies

Natural disasters and emergencies create acute welfare crises for both companion animals and livestock, often separated from owners or left without care.

Key Facts

Welfare Considerations

Disasters expose a critical gap: when emergency plans fail to include animals, owners often refuse evacuation, endangering themselves. Animals left behind face drowning, starvation, injuries, and exposure. Large-scale livestock losses represent both animal welfare and food security crises. Pre-disaster planning — microchipping, carrier training, emergency sheltering arrangements — significantly reduces animal casualties.

What You Can Do