Armed conflict creates acute and prolonged animal welfare crises, affecting companion animals, working animals, livestock, and wildlife in conflict zones.
War creates animal welfare emergencies that operate outside normal humanitarian frameworks. Abandoned companion animals face starvation, disease, and violence. Livestock without feed and water die slowly from dehydration and starvation. Wildlife habitats are destroyed by military activity. FOUR PAWS Ukraine operations, conducted under active conflict conditions, rescued hundreds of animals from Kyiv Zoo and private owners. International humanitarian law does not address animal welfare — a significant gap.