Preventing negative perceptions and the neglect of animal concerns is a major reason why emergency management officials and the animal care community need to work together before and during emergencies and disasters.

People who work with animals daily understand animal well-being and can convey to others that animal concerns are being addressed in an appropriate manner.

Likewise, emergency management officials can give animal care providers information they need depending on the context of an incident. An emergency management partnership is the only way to address both sides of this issue.