Disasters and Pets: Plan in Normal Times for Where to Evacuate

Editorial

17:03 JST, April 11, 2026

Every time a major disaster occurs, questions arise about how to accommodate the pets of people affected. There have been cases where people were denied entry to evacuation centers because they had pets with them, forcing them to sleep in their cars.

However, it is understandable that people who are uncomfortable around animals or have allergies feel anxious about being in the same space as pets during an evacuation.

Society as a whole should consider how people with and without pets can overcome these difficulties together.

The Environment Ministry will soon revise disaster response guidelines for people and pets. The aim is to promote the practice of owners and their pets evacuating together, while also encouraging owners to prepare in advance.

Under guidelines to be revised, the ministry plans to require local governments to discuss in advance with schools and other potential evacuation centers regarding the acceptance of pets and share information such as the number of pets that can be accommodated. Setting up spaces for pets, separate from the living quarters of evacuees, will also be encouraged.

Guidelines of this kind were first formulated in 2013. Their creation was prompted by cases of pets that were left behind in the areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake. The animals became feral and grew in number, forcing local governments and other entities to deal with their capture. It is also believed that many pets starved to death.

The guidelines were compiled to improve such situations, making a standard practice for evacuating with pets.

However, following the Noto Peninsula Earthquake two years ago, some people were unable to enter evacuation centers and remained in their damaged houses with their pets. There were complaints about pets at some evacuation centers as well.

To prevent such problems, it is also important for local governments to let residents know in advance which evacuation centers will accept pets.

There has been an increase in the number of people dying after developing mental and physical ailments caused by prolonged, harsh living conditions as evacuees. If owners could evacuate with their pets, it might help reduce such deaths. The bond with an animal can help alleviate stress in some cases.

Additionally, setting up evacuation centers specifically for people with pets is an option. For instance, the Kumamoto city government has formed an agreement with an animal vocational school and designated it as a pet-friendly evacuation center in the event of a disaster.

It goes without saying that owners bear responsibility for protecting their pets during disasters. In addition to stockpiling food and water and providing basic training for pets, it is also necessary for owners to get their pets used to spending time in cages. Placing pets in temporary care outside the disaster area is also an option during an evacuation.

People who cannot properly fulfill these responsibilities should not adopt pets without adequate consideration.

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 11, 2026)