National Animal Emergency Response

Project Report | May 26, 2026
National Animal Emergency Response Update - May 2026

By Kathy Duncan | Director of Programs

Hello,

Thank you so much for your support of Humane Canada's National Animal Emergency Response. We are happy to update you on the latest developments since your last report.

Our Animal Emergy Response working group meetings continue, with the 10th meeting scheduled for the last week of May. Since the last report, we have expanded Working Group membership. A Veterinarian from the Ontario Veterinary College, with a background in Emergency Response and associated training, will be joining the group at the end of May.

In April, we hosted a successful Deep Dive Training Day track at Humane Canada Summit for Animals in Whistler, BC. The conference was attended by over 500 animal welfare professionals, and the learning day was attended by more than 30 participants from across Canada and sponsored by our friends at MARS.

Sessions included presentations from:

A member of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs;
A representative of the Canadian Red Cross; and
Individuals from Animal Welfare organizations who have responded to emergency situations in support of pets and their people.

Our Director, National Programs also met with staff from the Ministry of Primary Industries with the Government of New Zealand. New Zealand successfully integrated emergency response related to animals into their National Civil Defence Emergency Management Plan in 2015, including provisions for farmed animals. We are hopeful to learn from their experience and identify the best pathway to include animals in emergency response planning at the federal level here in Canada.

The Community Forum on our digital platform is now up and running in time for Canada’s flood and fire season. Approximately 30 resources have been uploaded and are available to individuals who join the forum.

We look forward to the work ahead and we will provide you another update in the coming months. Thank you for making an impact for animals in Canada and helping to support emergency preparedness for animals.

Links:

http://www.humanecanada.ca

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