Faced with the increase in natural catastrophes and the increasingly devastating effects of climate change, the Emilia Romagna Region has approved a new agreement for animal protection and rescue in emergency situations. The strategic plan involves public bodies, veterinary institutions and animalist associations
The importance of animal protection during calamities
In recent years, Emilia Romagna has been affected by a series of extreme events, including floodsforest fires and earthquakes. These emergencies have had devastating consequences not only for the human population, but also for thousands of animals (domestic, farm and local fauna) often overlooked in the evacuation operations.
The fragility of these categories in the face of calamities has pushed the Region to intensify its commitment, developing a strategy that does not limit itself to immediate rescue, but which also provides for a structured plan for prevention and management. Let’s see what it consists of.
The new animal protection agreement: structure and objectives
The general agreement for the protection and rescue of animals in the event of calamity, officially presented on February 6, 2025, represents the arrival point of a path that began in 2019 with the aim of filling a serious gap in emergency management. The result of a large work of collaboration between institutions and associations, the document involves the Regional Directorate of Fire Brigadethe provincial capital municipalities, the University of Bologna and Parmal’ANCI Emilia Romagna (National Association of Italian Municipalities) and the Regional Federation of Veterinary Orders.
The agreement defines a system of intervention articulated on several levels, with detailed operating procedures to deal with emergencies quickly and effectively. The priority is to minimize the risks for all the species involved, ensuring a safe evacuation, the establishment of adequate reception centers and immediate access to veterinary care. At the same time, direct support to the affected population is ensured, so that no family is forced to separate from their animals due to the lack of alternative solutions.
Protection of pets and breeding: an integrated approach
The agreement pays particular attention to the protection of both “Animals of affection”, be of those “Income”. The former, such as dogs, cats and other pets, are often considered family members and their forced abandonment in emergency situations can have a strong psychological impact on people. Income animals, on the other hand, include those raised for productive purposes, such as cattle, sheep, pigs and courtyard birds (chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, pheasants and quails), which represent a fundamental economic resource for farms.
An operational network for targeted and coordinated interventions
To ensure timely and homogeneous action throughout the region, the agreement provides for the establishment of technical committees both at regional and local level. These bodies will have the task of coordinating interventions, act quickly in the affected areas and encourage effective collaboration between the various bodies involved.
A central role is entrusted to animalist associations and volunteers, whose field experience and knowledge of the territory are decisive to guarantee targeted and timely rescue operations. Their contribution will be essential in the management of the reception structures, in the administration of the first care and in the monitoring of the conditions of displaced animals.
At the same time, the agreement provides for the creation of a regional database, a computer system in which all the information necessary to make the intervention in crisis situations will be recorded. The platform will collect data on reception facilities, veterinary clinics available for emergencies and operating nuclei of prompt intervention, allowing you to optimize the logistics of rescue and speed up the assignment of resources.
Training and prevention: the new measures for animal safety
One of the most innovative aspects of the agreement concerns the training of staff and the prevention of emergencies. There Regional Council Resolution DPG/2023/16213 It establishes that by 31 December 2025 all the structures that host animals, such as kennels, cats and shelters for wildlife, will have to have an emergency and evacuation plan. This measure is essential to avoid situations of disorder and delays in the interventions.
A specific training program will be aimed at operators involved in rescue operations. Volunteers will receive instructions on how to recover, transport and manage animals in shock, so as to minimize stress and risks for their health. Breeders and refuge managers will also be involved in refresher courses to improve crisis prevention and management skills.
Another strong point of the agreement concerns the awareness campaigns aimed at citizens. Information initiatives will be promoted to educate the population on how to protect their animals in the event of an emergency, which precautions to adopt and how to collaborate with rescuers to encourage more effective interventions.
A replicable prevention and intervention model on a national scale
Ensuring a timely and structured response in case of disaster does not only mean safeguarding animal lives but also preserving economic, ecological and social balances that natural disasters endanger. If this model manages to consolidate, it can not only reduce the suffering of animals and affected communities but also contribute to a more conscious and sustainable management of the territory, strengthening the concept that the protection of the environment is a collective duty, essential for the future of all.
Source
Lav- Ampivisection League