The bond between people and pets doesn’t disappear in a storm. But when climate disasters and pet adoptions collide, the results can be heartbreaking.
Hurricanes, wildfires, and floods don’t just damage homes. They fill shelters, slow down adoptions, and leave countless animals waiting for love. Still, every crisis also sparks compassion.
Hurricanes and the Strain of Evacuations
During hurricane pet evacuations, shelters often become the last safe place for animals. Families forced to leave sometimes can’t bring their pets along. An ASPCA survey found that nearly half of evacuees left at least one pet behind during disasters.
The surge leads to disaster animal shelter overcrowding. Rooms meant for a dozen dogs suddenly hold twice that number. Foster families and animal rescue flights step in, carrying pets to safety in other states.
A recent story out of Florida highlights the power of community. Ahead of Hurricane Milton, more than 160 dogs were placed in foster homes to ensure none would be left behind.
Wildfires and Rescue Challenges
Wildfire pet rescues bring different challenges. Flames move quickly. Smoke lingers even longer. A 2023 study in PLOS Climate found that wildfires significantly worsened outcomes for cats, making it harder for them to be adopted.
Shelters also face lost adoption days. When the air is filled with smoke or the heat climbs above 110 degrees, adoption events get canceled. That means pets wait even longer for homes.
But there’s hope here, too. During the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires, Pasadena Humane took in hundreds of displaced animals. Partner shelters in other states stepped in with emergency transports so pets wouldn’t stay in limbo.
Floods and Shelter Crises
Floods bring heartbreak of another kind. In July 2025, Texas shelters were overwhelmed after storms left entire neighborhoods underwater. Rescue groups organized a private flight to move 127 pets out of the flood zone, creating space for more.
Community volunteers also searched for missing pets. In Kerr County, more than 350 animals were rescued thanks to those efforts. These moments remind us that shelter capacity can be fragile. But with strong foster networks, lives are saved.
Learn why fostering matters in Why Fostering Is the Secret Weapon in Reducing Shelter Overcrowding.
Policy and the PETS Act
After Hurricane Katrina, Congress passed the PETS Act pet evacuation law, requiring states to include pets in emergency planning (FEMA). While it has improved outcomes, gaps remain. Not every shelter or hotel is prepared to take animals, forcing some families into heartbreaking choices.
Advocates stress that better pet-inclusive housing and pet evacuation plans could reduce post-disaster adoption slowdowns and keep pets with families where they belong.
Hope in Community Response
Amid disaster, compassion always rises. Emergency transports and rescue flights carry animals to safety. Organizations like Best Friends Animal Society and Wings of Rescue rally to make sure no pet is left behind.
Local communities pitch in too, hosting food drives, adoption fairs, and volunteer events once the immediate danger passes. Out of tragedy come stories of hope: families reunited, foster pets adopted, and once-overcrowded shelters slowly finding balance again.
Conclusion
Hurricanes, wildfires, and floods will keep testing shelters. But each test also proves how strong the bond between people and animals really is. When climate disasters and pet adoptions intersect, the road may be rough, but there’s always a way forward.
Preparing, fostering, and supporting shelters can help ensure no pet is forgotten. And if you’re preparing to welcome a new companion, our guide How to Prepare Your Home for a Newly Adopted Pet offers practical steps.
