Why Pets Deserve a Place in Every Emergency Plan

When wildfires swept across Alberta in recent years, our team at the Edmonton Humane Society (EHS) was ready to step in.

We provided emergency boarding to pets whose families had to evacuate, partnered with organizations to distribute supplies and witnessed firsthand what it means when people are forced to flee their homes — often with little time, limited resources and no pet-friendly place to stay.

In these moments, the urgent need for a coordinated, animal-inclusive emergency response becomes clear.

That’s why we’re proud to support Humane Canada’s national campaign calling on the federal government to take meaningful action — and why I’m personally inviting you to add your voice.

The Gap in Canada’s Emergency Response

More than 60% of Canadian households have at least one companion animal¹, and 71% of those pet guardians consider their animals family². Yet despite this deep connection, animals are still often left out of Canada’s emergency plans.

While some cities — including Edmonton — have made strides to include animals in evacuation support, there’s no consistent national approach. That leads to heartbreaking outcomes: families being told they can’t bring their pets to shelters, animals being left behind and loved ones separated when they need each other most.

Recent research shows just how serious this issue is. A 2024 study found that forced separation during crises increases psychological distress and safety risks for both pet guardians and their animals³. When pets are excluded from evacuation plans, people may delay leaving or refuse to evacuate altogether, putting lives at risk. The study recommends that emergency planning include provisions for people and pets to stay together, recognizing the strength of the human-animal bond and how essential it is to both recovery and resilience.

This echoes what we’ve seen again and again: when we protect that bond during a crisis, we protect the wellbeing of entire families.

A National Campaign for Change

Humane Canada’s campaign urges the federal government to:

• Integrate a coordinated animal response into emergency planning, response and recovery that recognizes the vital role of animal welfare professionals.
• Ensure co-sheltering options and pet-inclusive supports are available so evacuees can stay with their pets.
• Provide dedicated federal funding for organizations supporting animals during emergencies.

These changes would improve outcomes for animals, reduce stress on evacuees, enhance safety and support faster recovery for all involved.

How You Can Help

This campaign gives all of us a chance to make a real difference. Here’s how you can help today:

• Sign the official Parliamentary Petition — it only takes a minute.
• Send a letter to federal leaders using Humane Canada’s online tool — your voice goes directly to decision-makers.
• Share this campaign with your friends, family and networks.

Why This Matters to EHS

At the Edmonton Humane Society, we’re often called to help during times of crisis. We know that when animals are left out of the plan, people suffer too.

We’ve seen the relief when families are reunited with their pets after displacement. We’ve heard from people who stayed in dangerous situations because they didn’t want to leave their animals behind. And we’ve worked with dedicated organizations doing their best to fill the gaps.

It’s time to close those gaps for good.

By supporting this campaign, you’re helping build a future where no one — human or animal — is left behind.

Thanks for being part of that future.

Liza Sunley, Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA)
CEO
Edmonton Humane Society

References:

1. Canadian Animal Health Institute (2022). Biennial pet population survey shines a light on how pet population statistics changed over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, and pet owner habits. ↩︎
2. Angus Reid Institute (2022). Fifi, Fido & Affordability: As cost of living rises, pet owners praise veterinarian care but say it costs too much. ↩︎
3. Montgomery, J., Liang, Z. & Lloyd, J. (2024). A Scoping Review of Forced Separation Between People and Their Companion Animals ↩︎