The aim of the doctoral research project is to critically examine the companion animal emergency management response to and following the April 2017 Edgecumbe flood, including a review of the legal frameworks that affect companion animal emergency management; a review of related after action reports and other official documents; and analysing the perceptions of residents affected by the flooding with regard to the emergency response to establish positive and negative observations that may inform, acknowledge or improve emergency management practices and laws. This will the first empirical study of companion animal emergency management in New Zealand and should provide a contrast to existing international case studies.