In the last few years, the US has learned the hard way that disaster readiness is not just a matter for emergency-management professionals. One positive outcome of our experiences is the national recognition, through the PETS Act and community initiatives, that planning for the needs of animals is an essential part of any successful disaster response plan.

As animal-welfare professionals, we are uniquely positioned to represent not only the needs of animals in our direct care, but also those of other animals in our communities: pets, service animals, livestock, and wildlife.

The resources we’ve pulled together on these pages will help you:

• Plan for your organization
• Define and prepare for your role in disaster response efforts in your community