Part 1 of a Three-Part Better Life for Animals Emergency Preparedness Series
By Cheryl Moss, Founder Better Life for Animals
Editor’s Note
As communities across the country face increasing threats from wildfires, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, and other natural disasters, preparation can mean the difference between safety and tragedy for the animals who depend on us. In this three-part series, Better Life for Animals shares insights from Tiffany Deaton, Director of National Operations for national nonprofit Best Friends Animal Society, along with practical lessons for animal guardians, shelters, sanctuaries, and communities seeking to better protect animals before disaster strikes.
Please note: All photos courtesy of Best Friends Animal Society.
The Tornado That Became a Wake-Up Call
The tornado did not arrive with weeks of notice.
It did not wait for shelter staff to finish their workday, nor did it give volunteers time to prepare for what was coming.
On June 10, a tornado swept through Springfield, Illinois, damaging the Animal Protective League shelter and spay-neuter clinic. In a matter of minutes, a normal day became an emergency.
Animals had to be relocated. Staff shifted from routine operations to crisis response. A facility dedicated to helping animals suddenly found itself fighting to protect them.
Fortunately, the story could have been much worse.
No animals were injured. Over 400 applicants to become a foster family were submitted as people stepped forward. Community members offered assistance. Partner organizations mobilized support. The response demonstrated what is possible when preparation, experience, and compassion come together.
Yet the event also delivered a sobering reminder.
Disasters rarely happen when we are ready.
For animal guardians, that reality carries enormous implications.
The Growing Challenge Few Want to Discuss
For many years, emergency preparedness felt like a regional concern.
If you lived in California, you thought about wildfires. If you lived along the Gulf Coast, you worried about hurricanes. If you lived in the Midwest, tornadoes were simply part of life.
Today, those distinctions are becoming less clear.
Communities across the country are experiencing increasingly unpredictable weather patterns. Areas that rarely flooded are now dealing with repeated flood events. Wildfires are burning larger areas and threatening more homes. Severe storms are appearing in places where they were once uncommon.
Whether someone believes these changes are driven by climate shifts, development patterns, or a combination of factors, the reality remains the same: emergencies are affecting more communities and more animals than ever before.
And unlike people, animals cannot prepare themselves.
They depend entirely on us.
Why Animals Are Especially Vulnerable
Animals experience disasters very differently than humans.
A dog does not understand why smoke is filling the air.
A cat cannot comprehend why strangers are suddenly entering the home during an evacuation.
A horse does not know why it must quickly leave a pasture it has called home for years.
Animals respond to what they see, hear, smell, and feel.
During emergencies, those sensations can become overwhelming.
Loud noises, unfamiliar surroundings, disrupted routines, and human anxiety can all trigger fear-based behaviors. Even the calmest animal may become unpredictable under extreme stress.
Some animals hide.
Others attempt to flee.
Many become confused and disoriented.
Tiffany has seen firsthand how quickly circumstances can change when disaster strikes. One of the most important lessons she emphasizes is that preparedness is not simply about gathering supplies. It is about understanding how animals are likely to respond during a crisis and planning accordingly.
The more preparation that happens beforehand, the less chaos there is when every minute counts.
The Cost of Assuming There Will Be Time
Most people do not intentionally neglect emergency planning.
Life simply gets in the way.
There are jobs, family obligations, household responsibilities, veterinary appointments, and countless other demands competing for attention.
Preparedness often falls into the category of something that can be handled later.
The problem is that emergencies rarely respect our schedules.
Wildfires can change direction unexpectedly.
Flash floods can develop within hours.
Tornadoes may provide only minutes of warning.
When evacuation orders are issued, many families suddenly find themselves searching for pet carriers, locating vaccination records, gathering medications, or trying to determine where they can safely go with their animals.
Decisions that could have been made calmly months earlier must now be made under pressure.
The result is often unnecessary stress for both people and animals.
Preparedness Is an Expression of Love
At its core, emergency preparedness is not about fear.
It is about responsibility.
More importantly, it is about love.
Every animal guardian understands the bond that develops between people and animals. Whether it is a dog waiting by the door at the end of the day, a cat curled up nearby during quiet
moments, or a horse greeting its person from across a pasture, animals become family.
They trust us completely.
That trust carries responsibility.
Creating a preparedness plan is one way of honoring that responsibility.
It is a way of saying, “If something happens, I will be ready to protect you.”
That protection may involve updating identification information, identifying evacuation routes, creating emergency contact lists, or assembling supplies. The specific actions matter less than the decision to act.
Preparedness is not a single event.
It is an ongoing commitment.
Learning from Communities That Get It Right
One of the most encouraging aspects of the Illinois tornado response was the way the community rallied around the animals.
People did not wait to be asked.
They stepped forward.
Foster homes opened their doors. Volunteers offered assistance. Organizations collaborated to solve problems. Resources were shared.
The response highlighted something important.
Preparedness is not solely an individual responsibility.
It is also a community value.
Communities that invest in planning, education, and collaboration often respond more effectively when emergencies occur.
That lesson applies not only to shelters and rescue organizations but also to neighborhoods, veterinary clinics, sanctuaries, and individual animal guardians.
Preparedness works best when everyone participates.
Better Life for Animals’ Commitment
At Better Life for Animals, we believe education is one of the most powerful tools available to protect animals.
The tornado in Illinois serves as a reminder that disasters can happen anywhere. It also reminds us that preparation can dramatically improve outcomes for animals and the people who care about them.
Our commitment is to continue raising awareness, sharing expert guidance, and encouraging proactive planning so that animals are not forgotten when emergencies occur.
Because while none of us can prevent every disaster, we can choose how prepared we will be when one arrives.
And for the animals who depend on us, that preparation may make all the difference.
Coming next: Part 2 — The Essential Emergency Kit Every Animal Guardian Should Have.
About Tiffany Deaton
Tiffany Deaton is the Director of National Operations at Best Friends Animal Society, a national nonprofit working to end the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters and take the country no-kill, which means saving every healthy and treatable pet. Tiffany leads initiatives that enhance operational alignment and collaboration across the organization. She also oversees the organization’s Emergency Services department, working with shelters, agencies, and communities nationwide to strengthen preparedness, build resilience, and support pets and their families during disasters and other emergencies.
bestfriends.org
About Cheryl Moss
Cheryl Moss is the founder of Better Life for Animals and host of the Better Life for Animals podcast. A passionate vegan advocate, children’s author, and Main Street Vegan Academy graduate, she is dedicated to ending factory farming, supporting animal sanctuaries, and inspiring compassion through her work, writing, and advocacy.
