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Pets and the Texas floods: Owners faced difficult decisions and loss during and after disaster

Jul 15, 2025

1 min

Sarah DeYoung
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One of the more overlooked aspects of any disaster is the loss of pets. Many of them become separated from their owners, are badly injured or perish as the result of a hurricane, flood, earthquake or other major event. This was the case in the recent flooding of the Guadalupe River in central Texas, said Sarah DeYoung, core faculty with the University of Delaware's Disaster Research Center.


DeYoung can talk about the following aspects related to the tragedy:


• The decisions that people have to make during evacuation, particularly for those with companion animals.


• The amount of horses along the Guadalupe River, which could be found at the camps and recreation areas.


• Pets that go missing after a flash flood, and the role that key organizations play in response and tracking and managing logistics.


• The psychological impact on people whose pets were injured or died, who are mourning and making memorials.


DeYoung can also discuss maternal and child health in crisis and disaster settings with a focus on infant feeding in emergencies.


To set up an interview with DeYoung, visit her profile page and click on the contact button; or send an email to MediaRelations@udel.edu.


Connect with:
Sarah DeYoung

Sarah DeYoung

Associate Professor, Sociology & Criminal Justice

Prof. DeYoung's expertise is in maternal and child health in crisis and disaster settings, with a focus on infant feeding in emergencies.

Evacuation Decision-makingCompanion Animals in DisastersMaternal & Infant Health in DisastersRefugee & Immigrant Well-beingPsychological Sense of Community

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