30 Days, 30 Ways UK: Not without my pet
Photo credit: Reuters
When disaster strikes, our pets are more than companions - they're family. Yet emergency planning often overlooks the vital role animals play in our lives. From floods to fires, the presence of pets can shape how people respond to crises, sometimes even determining whether they evacuate at all. Our Partnership Lead, Becky Maynard, has been exploring why emergency planning should consider the needs of both owners, and their pets.
Pet ownership in the UK
According to the PDSA’s 2024 PAW Report, 51% of UK adults own a pet, with 10.6 million dogs, 10.8 million cats, and 800,000 rabbits across the country. These numbers reflect a deep emotional and social bond between people and their animals - one that becomes especially significant during emergencies.
“The human-animal bond is not just emotional - it’s physiological. Interacting with pets increases oxytocin and reduces cortisol, which helps regulate stress and anxiety.”
O’Haire’s research shows that pets can act as emotional regulators, especially for military veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and children with autism. Her studies confirm that even household pets, not just trained therapy animals, can significantly improve mental health.
Why people won’t leave without their pets
Twenty years ago, Hurricane Katrina tore through the Gulf Coast of America, leaving behind devastation on a scale the United States hadn’t seen before. Over 1,800 lives were lost, and more than 250,000 pets were displaced or died. But behind the statistics were stories of heartbreak, of people who made impossible choices.
One image seared into the public memory was of a young boy sobbing as police took his small dog from his arms while he boarded a bus to be evacuated. He cried so hard he vomited. That moment became a symbol of the emotional trauma experienced by thousands who were forced to leave their pets behind.
A poll conducted after the storm found that pet ownership was the single greatest factor associated with people refusing evacuation orders. Even after the storm passed, over 80% of people who returned to disaster zones before it was safe to do so, went to rescue their pets.
Just a month after Hurricane Katrina, the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act was introduced, becoming US law in October 2006. The Act requires state disaster preparedness and evacuation plans to address the needs of people with pets and service animals, along with authorising the use of federal funds for pet-friendly emergency shelters when needed.
Pets in evacuation centres: Challenges and risks
Evacuation centres often aren’t equipped to handle animals. Common issues include:
Health risks: Close quarters can lead to the spread of diseases like ringworm, salmonella, and leptospirosis.
Allergies: Pet fur and dander can trigger asthma or allergic reactions.
Behavioural stress: Displaced pets may become aggressive or anxious, increasing the risk of bites or scratches.
Sanitation: Managing pet waste in crowded shelters is difficult and can pose hygiene concerns.
Despite these challenges, excluding pets from shelters can lead to greater harm if people choose not to evacuate.
Since the PETS Act was introduced, ahead of several major US storms and hurricanes, pet-friendly evacuation centres have been established, with some disasters even seeing refuges for pet owners set up near temporary animal shelters. This has enabled people to evacuate and protect themselves, their families and their animals.
Final thoughts
After a disaster, pets can play a key role in emotional recovery, helping people re-establish routines, offering a sense of continuity and hope and reducing symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety. In fact, studies have shown that pet owners often recover more quickly from traumatic events than non-pet owners, provided they can keep their animals with them.
Emergency planning must include animals, not just for their welfare, but for ours. Whether you're a pet owner or an emergency responder, recognising the human-animal bond is key to building resilient communities.