Question 16819 — animals

Summary

Mr. Aurélien Saintoul questions the Minister of Ecological Transition, Biodiversity and International Negotiations on Climate and Nature on the excess mortality of domestic animals during heatwaves. The heatwave that hit France at the end of June 2026 was a reminder that climate change also affects the millions of domestic animals present in French homes. According to the FACCO-ODOXA barometer 2024-2025, nearly 61% of French people own a pet, or around 79 million animals. However, to date, no public assessment allows us to precisely assess the health consequences of this heatwave episode on these animals. The effects of extreme heat on domestic animals are well documented. Scientific work devoted to heat stress demonstrates that heatstroke constitutes an emergency absolute veterinarian which can lead to multi-organ failure and then death in the absence of rapid treatment. The researchers also point out that global warming will lead to an increase in the frequency and severity of these pathologies in pets. The private network 3115 Veterinary Emergencies alerted to the sharp deterioration of the situation during the heatwave of June 2026. It indicates having noted a mortality rate of 18.9% of animals taken into care between June 24 and 25, 2026, more than double the rate usually observed. For comparison, in June 2025, the average mortality rate was 9% for 4,532 interventions carried out by the network structures. According to those responsible, these figures are probably underestimated, with many animals dying before they even arrive in a service. veterinarian. The action of public authorities still seems to be essentially based on the dissemination of prevention recommendations intended for animal owners. While these awareness campaigns are necessary, they are not enough to respond to the consequences of extreme climatic episodes expected to become more frequent and more intense. The saturation of veterinary emergencies also questions the capacity of these structures to absorb massive influxes of animals requiring immediate care, even though the veterinary profession is already experiencing significant recruitment difficulties in many territories. He therefore asks if the Government has a national report on the excess mortality of domestic animals attributable to this heatwave. He also wishes to know if the Government intends to set up national monitoring of veterinary consultations and deaths linked to heatstroke in order to have a precise inventory of the consequences of climate change on companion animals. Finally, he asks her if she plans to sustainably strengthen the capacities for handling veterinary emergencies and to create a real public veterinary and phytosanitary service, based on prevention, making it possible to improve access to care on the entire territory and to better protect animals in the face of the multiplication of extreme climatic episodes.

Machine translation from French. The official text remains authoritative.

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