The UK must create an Emergency Pet Evacuation Protocol to prevent animals being abandoned during crises.

Thousands of UK citizens live and work overseas with their pets. In times of crisis, government evacuation flights are often the only safe route home.

However, current UK policy does not allow pets to travel on evacuation flights.

This means that British families fleeing dangerous situations may be forced to make an impossible choice: leave their animals behind or risk their own safety.

We are already seeing the consequences of this policy gap. Animal rescue groups in crisis-affected regions are reporting increasing cases of pets being abandoned when owners discover they cannot travel with them.

Pets are not luggage. They are family members.

Other countries have recognised this reality. During the 2022 Ukraine crisis, many governments introduced temporary measures allowing refugees to travel with their animals, with health checks and documentation completed after arrival.

The UK should adopt a similar approach.

We call on the UK Government to establish an Emergency Pet Evacuation Protocol, allowing pets to accompany their owners during evacuations with:

• veterinary checks conducted on arrival in the UK
• temporary quarantine if necessary
• documentation completed after entry

This would prevent unnecessary suffering, reduce abandonment, and support responsible pet ownership.

No one fleeing danger should be forced to leave their animal behind.