Social Systems, Climate Change, and Pets

Housing:

When we live in housing that is not climate ready, our pets and our health are both at risk. Lack of air conditioning during summer heat waves, or central heating during the depth of winter can leave people making hard choices. Many people will choose to stay in their homes, though it does not take long for an animal to develop signs of heat exhaustion. A choice may be made to go outside, which can lead to burned paws on hot sidewalks. Either way, you could be looking at expensive vet bills. If shelters do not accept people with their pets, then there is often no choice but to tough it out. While the statistics on how many companion animals die during adverse weather events vary, we do know that a cat or a dog can perish within minutes from heatstroke.

What can we do?

• For human and animal health, housing needs to be climate ready. Regions that used to get by without A/C now suffer through heat waves. Even in Phoenix, companion animals are experiencing heat stroke and other illnesses as heat waves become longer and more intense. Landlords and property management companies need to take advantage of programs to weatherize rental housing.

• When housing is not livable during climate events, warming and cooling shelters need to allow people to use them with their pets. Animals have died when tied up to trees, left in backyards, or cars, even with a bowl of water. People should not feel compelled to make this choice.

Partner with and support animal shelters:

Climate Change is, and will continue, to have an impact on our animal shelter system. Let’s look at all the climate related reasons why someone would need to surrender their animal:

• They have lost their home following a climate event and their temporary housing does not allow pets, or they are experiencing houselessness.

• Many strays are found after climate events and go into emergency sheltering. If they are not claimed, they will eventually be available for adoption either locally or in another area with shelter capacity.

• Even climate events in other parts of the country can impact local shelters. If a shelter has room, they will often agree to accept pets and place them for adoption in their area.

• If a person is hospitalized or incapacitated from a climate event, their pet may be surrendered to the shelter.

• Expensive vet bills from burned paws, heat illnesses, frostbite, etc. that a person cannot afford may be a reason for surrender.

• Climate refugees from other parts of the country may bring their pets with them, but then have difficulty finding housing where their pet is welcome. Lack of pet-friendly housing is a significant reason for animal surrenders to shelters.

• The presence of new diseases that are expensive to treat, like heartworm and Lyme Disease, increases with climate change. When someone is unable to afford treatment for these illnesses, they may surrender their pet.

Animal shelters should be seen as a great community resource for their knowledge on animal care and medical treatment, emergency animal sheltering, the many societal reasons for surrender, and often, a network of volunteers who can be called on to assist. Some shelters are starting to hire social workers to help people who are needing to surrender their animals to find ways to keep them when possible. Check out this article on the Oregon Humane Society’s Veterinary Social Worker to learn more.