Animals in the News

Aug 29

Most of the inspiration for Climate Smart Pets came from reading and watching new stories about how climate change is impacting animals worldwide. While the focus here is mostly on companion animals, I don’t want to overlook the global impact on fauna from a changing climate. This past weekend, I read a heartbreaking story about fires in the Pantanal, Brazil. The Pantanal is the world’s largest wetland and home to unique and threatened species who are adapted to a warm, wet climate. Recent droughts in Brazil brought on by climate change have resulted in enormous fires in The Pantanal in 2020 and 2024, wreaking havoc on the animal population. Reading through this, I thought a monthly roundup of climate and animal news might be worthwhile! It can’t all be doom and gloom though, so I have included some inspirational and useful stories as well!

The world's largest tropical wetland is on fire, and under threat from waterway- The Week

5 tips to keep your pets safe during dangerous heat- ClickOnDetroit

Can wild animals handle the heat?- DW.Com

Note: this article has some great recommendations for governments to help wildlife adapt to climate change! (It’s otherwise a pretty grim story…)

Keeping your non-traditional pets safe in the heat- Channel 3000

Cute Break! How Houston's animals are beating the heat!- KPRC 2 Houston

Washoe County Regional Animal Services Unveils Two New Emergency Evacuation Trailers- 2 News Nevada

Red Cross Evacuation Centers sheltering both people and pets- ABC23 Bakersfield

Rez dogs are feeling the heat from climate change- Grist

Climate change is fueling a rise in heartworms among dogs, cats in the Pacific Northwest- OPB

Pets abandoned as people flee climate change- Green Prophet

Pets In Flooded Animal Shelter Needed A Miracle — And They Got One- The Dodo