In Katrina's aftermath, passage of the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act, to require state and local governments to incorporate people's pets and service animals into disaster planning, became a top priority for The HSUS. 

On Aug. 3, 2006, the Senate passed its version of the bill, sponsored by Sens. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), by unanimous consent. A House version, sponsored by Reps. Tom Lantos (D-Calif.) and Christopher Shays (R-Conn.), passed on May 22 by a vote of 349-24.    

"I am pleased the Senate took swift action in passing the PETS Act," Stevens said on his website after his colleagues unanimously endorsed the bill.  "The aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma demonstrated that we do not have adequate plans in place for the evacuation of pets and service animals. This legislation will help ensure we are prepared to address this need during future crises and natural disasters."

While The HSUS supported both the House and Senate bills, it favors the Senate version, which grants the Federal Emergency Management Agency the authority to assist in developing animal-related disaster plans, authorizes financial help to states to create emergency shelters for people with their animals, and allows the provision of essential assistance for individuals with household pets and service animals, and the animals themselves, following a major disaster.

The Senate version also requires authorities to provide essential help to people and their companion animals following a major disaster, and it makes nonprofit organizations eligible for federal funds for providing such help.  The House can either pass the Senate version or bring it to conference where a committee made up of members of both chambers can work to reconcile the differences.

Progress at the State, Local and Policy Levels, Too

The political landscape concerning animals and emergency situations looks bright at the state level too.  Seven states -- Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey and Vermont -- have passed legislation on animal disaster planning and response. Three more states -- California, Illinois and New York -- are considering passage of such legislation, and one -- New Mexico -- has approved a resolution in favor of planning for animals in disaster.  

These bills reflect the diverse range of challenges associated with incorporating animals into local and regional disaster plans, covering such topics as the definition of a "domestic pet," the identification of public shelters and private facilities suitable for accommodating pets, the handling of service animals, coordination of relationships between public agencies and private entities, and protocols for gathering, organizing, housing and reclaiming of animals in cases of emergency.

At the policy level, there is strong evidence that an increasing number of federal, state, and local agencies are coming to accept the premise that animals need to be moved with their people.  During the last few months, a Department of Homeland Security memo to state partners instructed them to incorporate animals into their planning.  The Department of Transportation has been seeking carriers with pet transportation capabilities.  State agencies are initiating program work to identify temporary sheltering locations and developing evacuation plans that include resources for pet evacuation.  The United States Coast Guard, which played a crucial role in Katrina relief, is reportedly revising its rescue guidelines.

As federal, state and local agencies respond to new policy requirements, and communities across the United States develop their own plans and programs for response, The HSUS will expand its longstanding participation in such planning, helping to shape evacuation and disaster care protocols, and working to provide the training necessary for responders and planners responsible for securing the safety of animals in disaster and emergency situations. 

"Securing passage of the PETS Act and similar state legislation has been an urgent priority for The HSUS throughout 2006," HSUS President and CEO Wayne Pacelle said.  "Now, we'll work on the long term challenge of making disaster protocols for animals a public policy reality in each and every community."