Hurricane season isn’t just about boarded-up windows and stocked-up pantries. For millions of animals, it’s a matter of life or death.
Every year, as the winds pick up and the floodwaters rise, animals are often the forgotten victims of these increasingly powerful storms. And as the climate crisis accelerates and critical weather agencies like NOAA face devastating cuts, the risks only grow.
So when is hurricane season? In the Atlantic, it officially begins June 1 and ends November 30, but as hurricanes have become stronger and more unpredictable, preparedness is no longer optional—it’s essential.
Let’s pull back the curtain on what hurricane season 2025 really looks like for animals—and how we can protect them.
Farmed Animals Are Left to Die During Hurricanes
Let’s be honest: factory farms were never designed with animal safety in mind—especially not during natural disasters.
When a hurricane approaches, farmed animals are often left behind. Not because there’s no time to evacuate them, but because the system is built that way. With tens of thousands of animals crammed into a single industrial barn, evacuation is a logistical burden for farm owners. And for many corporate producers, it’s cheaper and easier to collect insurance on the loss of these animals than to even attempt rescue.
During Hurricane Florence, more than 3.4 million chickens and turkeys and 5,500 pigs drowned in North Carolina alone. This tragic situation was not just the result of the storm itself, but of factory farming. Little consideration for the lives of the animals in emergency preparedness. Just profits over protection.
What can you do to protect farmed animals before and after disasters strike? Well, shifting toward a plant-based diet can help reduce the number of animals stuck in this system in the first place. Factory farming’s expansion relies on ongoing consumer demand; the fewer animal products people consume, the less companies will be able to profit from raising and killing animals for food. You can also advocate for stronger protections for farmed animals at the local, state, and federal levels. In the aftermath of disasters, support local organizations leading rescue efforts, and visit our website to contribute to our Disaster Relief Fund when it’s activated.
Preparing for Hurricane Season to Protect Companion Animals and Wildlife
Whether you’re wondering “when is hurricane season,” or you’re already watching storm forecasts roll in, the time to prepare is now—especially for the animals we share our homes and neighborhoods with.
Here’s how you can help protect animals during hurricane season:
- Include companion animals in your evacuation plan. Make sure your animal is microchipped, and their information is up to date. Pack a “go bag” with food, water, medicine, leashes, and photos in case you’re separated.
- Create wildlife-safe spaces. Secure garbage and remove potential hazards like lawn decorations or netting that can injure wild animals. If you see a displaced animal, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
- Support local shelters. Many shelters become overwhelmed during hurricanes. Volunteering, fostering, or donating supplies can make a huge difference in ensuring animals aren’t left behind.
For more information on protecting animals from climate disasters—including wildfires, floods, and hurricanes—visit World Animal Protection’s Disaster Response Hub.
Preparedness isn’t just about survival—it’s about compassion.
Stronger Hurricanes, Greater Risks: Climate Change and the Defunding of NOAA
The storms of hurricane season 2025 are expected to be stronger, faster, and more destructive—just like in recent years. Why? Because climate change is supercharging hurricanes.
Warmer oceans and rising sea levels are creating the perfect breeding ground for more intense and frequent storms. What used to be considered “once-in-a-lifetime” hurricanes now seem to happen every year. And animals—especially those with no way to escape—are suffering the most.
Even worse? The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)—the agency that monitors weather patterns and provides storm warnings—has faced repeated defunding efforts. With less funding comes fewer resources for forecasting and early warnings, putting humans and animals at greater risk.
If we can’t predict when a hurricane will strike or how severe it will be, how can we possibly protect the most vulnerable among us?
Help Us Protect Animals During Hurricane Season 2025
At World Animal Protection, we don’t sit back when disaster strikes. Through our Disaster Response Fund, we work with local partners to:
- Rescue and rehabilitate wild animals trapped or injured in hurricanes
- Reunite companion animals with their families
- Provide emergency medical treatment and shelter for displaced animals
During Hurricane Helene, which brought catastrophic devastation to the East Coast, World Animal Protection US was there for animals and the people who love them.
In order to protect animals, we partnered with organizations like Ziggy’s Refuge, Flying Pigs Sanctuary, and Asheville Humane Society, to provide immediate relief to animals impacted by the storm. Such partnerships are critical when disasters occur, allowing for rapid response and coordination to rescue and care for animals in the most effective way possible.
But we simply cannot do this work without people like you.
Your support powers our response. It gives animals a fighting chance when everything else is falling apart. And it ensures that no animal is forgotten during hurricane season 2025 and beyond.
Join The Wild Side today and be their lifeline when it matters most.