Farm fires and natural disasters represent acute welfare catastrophes for housed livestock, requiring emergency planning and rapid response to minimise animal suffering.
Farm fires cause extreme suffering for housed livestock. Animals exposed to smoke, heat and flames experience severe pain and terror. Death from smoke inhalation may take minutes. Survivors may have significant burns, respiratory damage and psychological trauma. Emergency planning including fire drills, good electrical maintenance and clear access for fire services can dramatically reduce the incidence and severity of farm fires.