University in Japan prepares for pets in disasters
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Okayama University of Science in Japan is working to include pets in disaster preparedness, recognising their importance to owners.
Following the establishment of its veterinary faculty in 2018, the university signed an agreement with Imabari City and the Ehime Veterinary Medical Association to designate its Imabari Campus as an evacuation site for people with pets, a first for Japan. Students formed the Psfull group to educate the public about evacuating with companion animals, holding workshops and participating in drills.
In March 2025, the university’s preparations were tested when a wildfire broke out near the campus. The campus sheltered seven people and eleven cats, and students provided emergency food designed for both humans and animals when one cat refused to eat its owner’s supplies. Faculty members are also pursuing scientific solutions, using the “Quality of All Lives Project” to develop technologies for monitoring animal vital signs and reducing stress during evacuations.
Researchers from the veterinary and information science faculties are collaborating to gather data on how conditions in shelters affect animals, hoping to provide evidence-based guidance to pet owners. Professor Masumi Eto explained that the goal is to minimise stress for both animals and their owners, as both experience intense stress during disasters. The university hopes to normalise including pets in disaster planning.
