Extending climate-health protection from public health to animals: evidence from Colorado.

Veterinarians must integrate climate hazard preparedness into practice to protect animal health and strengthen community resilience.

This study addresses a significant gap in climate-health policy by examining how climate-related hazards affect animal populations, using Colorado as a model. Researchers synthesized national, regional, and state-level climate and health data, translating established human health frameworks to three animal groups: companion animals, livestock (including horses), and wildlife. Findings were validated through expert interviews with representatives from state agencies, academic institutions, and nonprofit organizations. Wildfire, poor air quality, extreme heat, and drought were identified as the most urgent climate hazards for animals, with flooding, extreme storms, waterborne disease, and vector-borne disease posing additional significant risks. Three crosscutting themes—animal welfare, food safety, and caregiver impacts—connected all hazards and underscored the interdependence of animal and human health. Experts consistently noted a substantial disparity between robust human-focused climate resources and the limited animal-specific guidance available. The authors propose four priority areas for climate action: (1) development of animal-specific decision tools and surveillance systems; (2) integrated preparedness planning for concurrent hazards; (3) equitable access to veterinary and protective resources; and (4) cross-sector networks that unify animal, human, and ecosystem health approaches. The study advocates for a One Health framework, arguing that aligning animal and public health systems represents a practical strategy to strengthen climate resilience across species, human communities, and ecosystems.

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