When Disaster Strikes: Protecting Pets in the Wake of Natural Catastrophes 

This month marks the twentieth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, one of the deadliest and costliest hurricanes in American history. The storm left a staggering trail of destruction—$170 billion in damage and the loss of 1,392 human lives. But alongside the human toll was another tragedy that received less attention: the fate of pets. 

It is estimated that roughly a quarter of a million pets were left behind as people evacuated during Hurricane Katrina. Of those, as many as 60 percent did not survive.  

For many families, pets are beloved members of the household, and their safety can affect decisions people make about whether and how quickly to evacuate. Studies have shown that losing a pet can significantly impact mental health.  According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 23% of pet owners have evacuated for a disaster or emergency. Of those, nearly half—47 percent—left at least one pet behind. Yet 91% of all pet owners say they plan to bring their animals with them if they ever need to evacuate. The gap between intention and reality highlights the need for better systems to protect both pets and their people. 

The tragedy of Katrina became a turning point. In 2006, Congress passed the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act, requiring states and municipalities to include pets in their evacuation and shelter plans.  

Today, organizations such as the American Red Cross, Centers for Disease Control, and US Department of Homeland Security offer clear guidance to help pet owners prepare for emergencies. Their recommendations include: 

Assembling an emergency kit for your pet. 
Coordinating with neighbors, friends, or relatives to ensure someone can care for or evacuate your pet if you are unable to. 
Identifying an evacuation site outside the impacted area. 
Making sure pets wear collars and tags with current contact information. 
Microchipping pets for permanent identification. 

These steps can save lives, but technology is also opening new doors for safety and reunification. One vital—and free—resource is FidoAlert, a service from Camber Creek portfolio company PetScreening. 

FidoAlert functions like an Amber Alert for pets, helping reunite lost dogs and cats (via its companion service, TabbyAlert) with their families. The system can instantly distribute text and email messages across a network of more than 1.3 million registered users throughout the United States. When a pet is reported missing, alerts can be shared with nearby members of the network, dramatically increasing the chances of a safe return. Enrollment is free, and once a pet is registered, owners can generate alerts at any time. 

The service has already drawn national recognition. USA Today recently named FidoAlert one of the “essential items to stay safe and connected” during hurricane season. 

One lesson from Hurricane Katrina is that safeguarding pets is not only an act of compassion: it is part of preparedness, resilience, and community safety. By planning ahead and leveraging technology like FidoAlert, families can better protect every member of their household. 

You can learn more at www.fidoalert.com. 

Photo by Library of Congress