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Disaster prep

Hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, floods, large-scale hoarders—these are just some of the natural and man-made disasters that animal welfare groups have to deal with. If something happened, would your organization be prepared? We have resources to help you develop your disaster preparedness plan.

  • Disaster FAQ

    What shelters and rescues need to know about the Hurricanes Maria, Irma and Harvey, as well as the wildfires in Oregon and Montana.

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Most recent Tools and Resources > Disaster prep

  • Magazine Article

    Weathering the storms, part III

    Armed with safety equipment, supplies and experience, members of the HSUS Animal Rescue Team wade into Texas floodwaters to rescue animals stranded by the storm.

    The heart of Texas

    by James Hettinger

    Yes, Hurricane Harvey was a catastrophe. The historic storm dumped trillions of gallons of water on Texas last summer, destroying homes and disrupting thousands of human and animal lives.

    But amid the chaos and destruction, people’s resilience came shining through, along with their compassion and willingness to cooperate. The storm forced pet owners in the Houston area and along the Gulf Coast to evacuate, but the animal welfare community responded by working together, setting up shelters and arranging transports. Donations poured in from a public moved to help.

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  • Magazine Article

    Weathering the storms, part II

    HSUS rescuer and senior wildlife adviser Dave Pauli works with a horse in Vieques who had wandered off her property before Hurricane Irma and was discovered in horrible condition. Her treatment included a tetanus vaccination, vitamins, deworming paste and quality feed.

    Going the distance for pets in Puerto Rico

    by Karen E. Lange and Thaisi Da Silva

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    by Karen E. Lange and Thaisi Da Silva

    On an ordinary day, the main plaza in Vieques’ Isabel Segunda neighborhood comes alive with town hall meetings or morning yoga classes. But on Oct. 1, 11 days after Hurricane Maria struck the small island off the coast of Puerto Rico, the plaza was filled for a very different reason.

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  • Magazine Article

    Weathering the storms, part I

    Staff and volunteers from The HSUS and other groups prepare to whisk homeless cats and dogs out of Hurricane Irma’s path in Florida and deliver them to HSUS emergency placement partners.

    Facing a string of hurricanes, animal welfare groups leap into action

    by M. Carrie Allan and Karen E. Lange

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    by M. Carrie Allan and Karen E. Lange

    Late last summer, storm after storm pounded Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico. But thanks to disaster preparation and purposeful collaboration, animal welfare organizations rescued thousands of shelter pets, wildlife and farm animals—and ensured that owned pets were reunited with their families once the storms subsided.

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