Dogs and other animals used in disaster search and rescue perform cognitively and physically demanding work in dangerous conditions. Understanding their welfare needs ensures both their wellbeing and operational effectiveness.
Search and rescue animals — predominantly dogs, but also horses used in wilderness searches — perform work that is both essential and potentially harmful to their wellbeing. The acute risks are clear: physical injury, thermal stress, and chemical exposure in disaster environments. The chronic risks are less visible: cumulative traumatic stress from repeatedly encountering death and disaster scenes, the psychological demands of failed searches, and the physical toll of demanding terrain over a working career. Leading SAR programs now incorporate welfare monitoring, mandatory rest periods, psychological recovery protocols, and structured retirement planning — recognizing that a dog that does this work deserves comprehensive welfare protection throughout and beyond their working life.