CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (October 5) — WHEN extreme heat, drought, storms or floods hit, it is not only people and farms that need protection. Millions of farm animals that depend on humans for food, water, shelter and care are also at risk.
Animal Empathy Philippines (AEP), a Philippine animal welfare organization that advocates for the humane treatment and protection of animals, is urging government agencies, farmers and communities to include farmed animals in disaster preparedness and agricultural resilience planning as the country braces for possible worsening El Niño conditions.
Government data show that more than 260 million chickens, ducks, pigs, goats, cattle and carabaos were being raised on farms across the Philippines as of June 30, 2026.
For AEP, the scale of the farm animal population makes their welfare an important part of disaster preparedness, agricultural resilience and food security.
“When we talk about preparing farms and agricultural communities for extreme weather, we should also consider the animals whose lives depend on those systems,” said Kate Lupango, AEP co-founder and executive director.
For farmed animals, she said, preparedness includes reliable access to food and water, adequate shelter, veterinary care and clear plans for their protection during emergencies.
“These are practical considerations that can go alongside efforts to protect farmers, livelihoods, and communities,” Lupango said.
Small farmers, big risks
The need is particularly important for small farmers, who account for the majority of farmed animals in the country.
As of June 30, government data showed that 87.6% of cattle, 99.7% of goats, 79.3% of pigs, 99.3% of carabaos and 71% of ducks were raised in smallhold farms.
For these farmers, extreme weather can threaten both animal welfare and household income.
Heat stress, drought, flooding, typhoons and disease outbreaks can disrupt access to water, feed, shelter and veterinary services, leaving farmers with fewer options when emergencies strike.
The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (DOST-PAGASA) reported in September that the likelihood of below-normal rainfall, dry spells and drought was expected to increase in some parts of the country because of El Niño.
AEP said agricultural and community disaster plans should therefore account for the needs of animals alongside those of farmers and other residents.
This could include plans for animal evacuation and temporary shelter, adequate food and water supplies, veterinary services, disease prevention and response, transportation, and appropriate housing.
“Looking after farmed animals is not a choice between animal welfare and people’s welfare,” Lupango said.
“When farmers have the resources, information, and plans they need to care for animals during difficult conditions, that can also support livelihoods and more resilient agricultural communities,” she added.
Beyond disaster response
AEP said farmed animal welfare should not become a concern only when disasters occur.
The group is also calling for stronger and more systematic policies covering farming practices, disease prevention and response, transportation, housing and disaster planning—areas that can affect animals throughout their lives.
For communities dependent on agriculture, protecting farm animals can also mean protecting livelihoods and strengthening local food systems against climate and disaster risks.
The Philippines has officially observed Animal Welfare Week during the first week of October since 2004, providing an opportunity to broaden public discussion about how animals are treated and protected.
This year, AEP is holding Farmed Animal Welfare Week, a volunteer-led campaign running from October 2 to 9.
The campaign features stories and photographs of farmed animals, online educational materials and discussions with students through its Campus Advocacy Tour. The group is also encouraging the public to use its official campaign profile frame to show support for farmed animal welfare.
For AEP, the larger challenge is to change how farmed animals are viewed—not simply as agricultural products or sources of food, but as living animals whose welfare is closely connected to the farmers, families and food systems that depend on them.
The call comes at a time when climate and disaster risks are increasingly becoming an agricultural concern, making animal protection not only a welfare issue but also part of building more resilient farming communities.
