Companion Animals

Companion Animal Welfare and Dog Welfare in Disaster

Natural disasters and emergencies create welfare crises for companion animals, with 2026 bringing improved disaster planning for pets.

Key Facts

Approximately 30-40% of people refuse to evacuate from disasters without their pets
Animals left behind in evacuations face starvation, dehydration, and injury
Pet-friendly emergency shelters were established in 60 additional US locations in 2026
Emergency preparedness kits for pets include food, medication, and veterinary records
Post-disaster animal rescue operations benefit from pre-registration of pet locations

Welfare Considerations

Disaster preparedness for pets prevents enormous welfare suffering during emergencies. Planning and registration before disasters occur enables faster and more effective rescue.

What You Can Do

Create a pet emergency kit and evacuation plan
Register your pets with local emergency services where available
Advocate for pet-friendly emergency shelter provision in your area