Reducing Companion Animal Abandonment During Disaster-Driven Relocation: A Four-Year Study in Maceió, Brazil

In March 2018, seismic events associated with rock salt mining in Maceió, northeastern Brazil, led to the emergency relocation of families from risk areas, resulting in increased companion animal abandonment. This study assessed the association between systematic monitoring and environmental education and the reduction in abandonment during these relocation processes. Between March 2018 and September 2020, 567 animals were recorded in affected households, of which only 245 (43.2%) were relocated with their guardians. In response, the Integra Animal Project was implemented, integrating environmental education, continuous monitoring, sanitary management, and population control. By December 2024, 2559 households and 6673 animals had been monitored. A substantial reduction in abandonment and escape rates was observed over time, with abandonment decreasing from 56.8% to 5.45%. Cats showed significantly higher escape rates than dogs (chi-square test). These findings suggest that integrated strategies combining monitoring and environmental education are associated with improved animal retention during disaster-driven relocation, supporting their relevance for animal welfare, public health, and One Health approaches.