In disaster-prone Wayanad, Kerala, families often face a heartbreaking choice: evacuate or save their pets. But now, India’s first permanent animal evacuation shelter is changing the game.

The initiative brings together local authorities, animal welfare organisations, and volunteers who’ve witnessed the pain of families losing their animals in floods and landslides. Praveen Suresh of Humane World for Animals India recalls: “These animals are family, income, and memories. People won’t evacuate without them.”

Unlike temporary setups, this shelter is a full-fledged preparedness hub. It includes veterinary clinics, quarantine zones, feed storage, and transport plans, activating immediately after early warnings. It ensures emotional and economic recovery, protecting both animals and livelihoods.

Volunteers like Athira N V highlight the mental health impact: reuniting families with pets brings hope amid chaos. Arun Peter of Wayanad DDMA says: “Saving one animal means securing a family’s future.”

Set to be operational by 2026, the shelter empowers communities, trains local responders, and could become a national model for humane disaster management.

Because saving animals isn’t charity—it’s strategy.