A year after Katrina and Rita devastated families not only by destroying homes and lives but separating them from their pets, a bill that would allow animals to evacuate with their people has finally gone to the White House.

Here is some background of the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act (PETS) from the Humane Society of the US:

"The House PETS legislation, which originally passed overwhelmingly by 349-24 in May, was introduced by Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA) and Rep. Chris Shays (R-CT) just weeks after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, and was followed by a Senate version that was introduced by Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) and Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and passed unanimously in August. The final bill that will be sent to the President contains provisions to help with disaster planning, including:

--requiring that local and state emergency preparedness authorities include plans for pets and service animals in disaster plans to qualify for grants from FEMA

--granting FEMA the authority to assist states and local communities in developing disaster plans to accommodate people with pets and service animals

--authorizing federal funds to help create pet-friendly emergency shelter facilities

--allowing FEMA to provide assistance for individuals with pets and service animals, and the animals themselves following a major disaster

With the President's signature, this bill would become a LAW!

1 Comments

R. CANO said:

I LOVE ANIMALS, AND WHILE I'M FULLY SUPPORTIVE OF THIS BILL PASSING, I WAS WONDERING IF IT'D BE POSSIBLE FOR YOU INFORM US OF ANY OTHER SITES YOU MIGHT SOUND BE INCLINED TO VOICE YOUR OPINION ON. THANKS!

September 28, 2006 12:22 PM

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