PETA Urges Immediate Inclusion of Animals in Disaster Plans

PETA Urges Immediate Inclusion of Animals in Disaster Plans

By Bing Jabadan – TheNATIONWEEK.com | August 5, 2026

MANILA, Philippines – As the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) issues stark warnings of a rapidly intensifying El Niño, which portends extreme heat, severe drought, and more powerful typhoons, PETA is making an urgent appeal. In a joint letter to the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, PETA demands the immediate integration of captive animals—from farms to zoos—into all national disaster preparedness and response protocols. Concurrently, PETA calls upon the public to assess and enhance domestic and community-level animal safety measures.

This intervention follows a recent surge of devastating weather events across Asia, which have left countless animals suffering horrific injuries, displacement, and death. A chilling testament to this failure to prioritize animal safety emerged from China, where catastrophic flooding from a recent typhoon reportedly swept away over 16,000 pigs and more than 900 snakes from commercial breeding facilities. Tragically, zebras, ostriches, and other zoo animals were also lost, underscoring the dire consequences of neglecting animal welfare in pre-disaster planning.

“The specter of terrified animals facing prolonged, agonizing deaths—trapped in floods, succumbing to extreme heat, or abandoned during evacuations—is an unacceptable reality we must prevent,” asserts PETA President Jason Baker. “PETA implores government agencies to enact robust plans now to safeguard farmed animals and wildlife from the escalating threat of extreme weather. We also remind all guardians that companion animals are integral family members and must always be central to emergency plans.”

To empower the public in these perilous times, PETA is disseminating vital guidelines for ensuring companion animal safety during extreme weather events:

Prepare Emergency Kits

Assemble separate, easily accessible emergency kits for both humans and animals. Animal kits should contain bowls, comfort items, at least a week’s supply of food and bottled water, and all necessary medications. Regularly rotate perishable items.

Ensure Identification

All animals must wear collars with legible ID tags displaying current contact information. Maintain a recent photograph of your animals for identification, mirroring protocols for human family members.

Prioritize Indoor Safety

During extreme weather, all animals must remain indoors with their guardians. Never leave animals in vehicles or tethered, penned, or crated outdoors.

Integrate Animals into Evacuation Plans

 If evacuation becomes necessary, always take your animals. Pre-plan animal-friendly destinations. For larger animals like horses or goats, identify and secure trailer access in advance.

Secure Departure Protocols

 Upon evacuation, leash dogs and place cats and other small animals into secure carriers, as frightened animals are prone to bolting. Crucially, remember to grab the pre-prepared animal emergency kit.

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