Welcome to Natural Disasters Expo Houston! For its fifth year, Natural Disasters Expo USA comes back to Houston on October 14–15, 2026, at the George R. Brown Convention Center. And there’s no better place. This city knows what it takes to prepare for disasters, respond, and rebuild afterward.
For two days, industry leaders, government agencies, first responders, and resilience professionals will come together with one shared goal: helping communities weather the next storm stronger than the last. Explore new solutions and technology, learn from front-line experts, and meet the partners who will help you turn preparedness into action. Whether you’re here to learn, share, or collaborate, you’re part of the effort to build a more resilient nation.
Tom Fox interviews Susan Anderson, Senior Director of Disaster Response at the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), about integrating animals into emergency management throughout the disaster life cycle.
Anderson explains how her team supports local, state, and national agencies with animal-inclusive planning and provides resources when communities are overwhelmed by events such as severe weather and wildfires. She notes animal inclusion still varies widely by jurisdiction and cites Hurricane Katrina as a turning point that highlighted the human-animal bond and the consequences of excluding pets. Anderson argues that human and animal survival are interdependent and that an all-hazards, all-species approach improves public safety and responder safety, increases shelter capacity, and reduces secondary public health risks. She discusses shelter overcrowding limiting evacuation “safe harbor” options and urges local engagement through fostering, donating supplies, and legislative outreach. She previews advancing these topics at Disasters Expo.
Resources: