Farmed Animal Welfare in Emergency Situations: Disaster Response

Overview of farmed animal welfare challenges during natural disasters and emergency situations.

Key Facts

Floods, wildfires, and droughts cause mass farmed animal welfare emergencies globally
Emergency livestock welfare planning is underdeveloped in most countries
Evacuation of livestock is logistically challenging and rarely practiced
Post-disaster disease and welfare problems compound initial emergency impacts
Climate change is increasing frequency and severity of livestock welfare emergencies

Welfare Considerations

Farmed animal welfare in disaster situations is an emerging welfare and policy challenge. Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of floods, droughts, and wildfires that cause mass livestock welfare emergencies. Emergency planning for livestock welfare is inadequate in most jurisdictions. Developing and implementing emergency livestock welfare plans, including evacuation protocols and post-disaster support, is an urgent priority for welfare and agricultural policy.

What You Can Do

Support organisations developing emergency livestock welfare planning
Advocate for livestock welfare inclusion in national disaster preparedness plans
Donate to emergency livestock welfare response funds in disaster situations