Punjab Floods: Welfare groups ensuring food, veterinary care and other needs of stranded animals

Punjab, India: Humane World for Animals India (formerly Humane Society International India), in collaboration with the Indian Red Cross Society (Punjab), Compassion for Animals Welfare Association and the Animal Husbandry Department has launched urgent disaster response operations to assist animals affected by the devastating floods in Punjab.

The organization’s disaster response team deployed earlier this week in the worst-hit areas of Amritsar and Jalandhar (like Ferozepur, Fazilka and Muktsar), to help animals left with limited food or care in flooded areas. The team’s immediate priorities include distributing emergency feed to prevent starvation of farmed animals, supplying veterinary medicines required for the treatment of sick and injured animals and providing food and basic care for companion animals.

The August 2025 flood, reported to be the worst since 1988, has displaced over three lakh people and impacted more than 50 lakh animals. Field reports confirm the deaths of significant numbers of cattle and buffalo in submerged areas, and there have also been extensive losses of animals such as chickens and goats. Companion animals are in critical jeopardy, too, with free-roaming dogs and cats left without food, shelter or medical attention in nearly all affected districts.

Jaihari AK, who deployed to Punjab as senior coordinator of disaster response at Humane World for Animals India, says: “What we’re seeing on the ground is heartbreaking. Upon reaching the villages, we assessed the situation and spoke with community members, who shared that many of their animals have been stranded without food or clean water for several days. In many remote villages, animals have gone days without food. We’ve come across street dogs scavenging through debris for scraps and snatching fish from the flood waters. . People are trying to save what little they have, but they simply don’t have the resources to help their animals. Early this week, we delivered the first batches of fodder and companion animal feed in Jalandhar and Amritsar.

While high water levels prevented us from reaching some of the more remote areas, we were able to distribute feed to local caregivers to help support the animals in the meantime. The impact was immediate – animals once again eating after days without any nourishment, and people expressing deep relief as support reached their communities. We’re also assessing veterinary needs so that injured animals get treatment as fast as possible.”

Dr. Shaina Verma from Indian Red Cross Society (Punjab), a key partner in Humane World for Animal’s response, said: “I am heartbroken seeing Punjab struggle with the worst floods in decades. Thousands have lost their homes, crops are destroyed, and many lives have been lost. I’m grateful for the rescue teams working tirelessly to help those in need, but we need more support.”

Humane World for Animals responds to disasters in India and around the world to assist animals and communities in need. The team has stepped in to provide emergency relief to animals affected by volcanic eruptions in Guatemala; deadly earthquakes in Nepal, Ecuador, Mexico and Türkiye; hurricanes, flash floods and cyclones in India, Haiti and Mozambique; and wildfires in Australia and Chile; as well as helping refugees and their pets fleeing the war in Ukraine.

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