PORTLAND, Ore. – The Humane Society of the United States, the nation's largest animal protection organization, applauds the work of the Oregon Joint Emergency Preparedness & Ocean Policy Committee for voting to pass the Oregon Animals in Disaster legislation (S.B. 570) on to the Senate.

The HSUS now urges Oregon lawmakers to quickly pass S.B. 570 making Oregon one of a handful of states including pets, service animals and farm animals in disaster or emergency planning.

The Joint Emergency Preparedness & Ocean Policy Committee passed S.B. 570 unanimously. The HSUS is especially grateful for the support of committee co-chairs, Representative Deborah Boone (D-32) and Senator Joanne Verger (D-5), for their efforts to pass this legislation.

"We are pleased Oregon is taking quick action with legislation that will include animals in emergency response plans," said Randy Covey, director of disaster services for The HSUS who testified before the committee in support of S.B. 570 on February 27. "With passage of this bill, Oregon will be protecting its citizens by helping to ensure they won't have to make a choice between staying behind with their animals or being rescued. Animal issues are people issues and planning for both in a disaster is the best thing to do."

Facts:

• A recent Zogby International poll found that 61 percent of pet owners say they would refuse to evacuate if they could not take their pets with them.
• There are over 358 million pets in the United States residing in 63 percent of American households.
• In Oregon, 67 percent of households have a pet according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.
• States with Pets in Disaster laws:  California, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York and Vermont and a resolution passed in New Mexico.
• States with pending legislation: Oregon, Arizona, Connecticut, Montana, Nevada, Texas and Washington.

Timeline:

• Feb. 27, 2007 - S.B. 570 was heard before the Joint Emergency Preparedness & Ocean Policy Committee.
• Feb.14, 2007 - S.B. 570 was introduced by Senator Ryan Deckert (D-14) and jointly sponsored by Senator Kurt Schrader (D-20), Senator Alan Bates (D-3), Senator Vickie Walker (D-7), Representative Deborah Boone (D-32) along with Senator Kate Brown (D-21), Senate President Peter Courtney (D-11), Senator Gary George (R-12), Senator Joanne Verger (D-5), Representative Jean Cowan (D-10), Representative Brian Boquist (R-23), Representative Ben Cannon (D-46), Representative Brian Clem (D-21), Representative Bill Garrard (R-56) and Representative Bill Witt (D-31).
• Oct. 2006 - President Bush signs the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act.

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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization – backed by 10 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty -- On the web at  www.humanesociety.org.