WASHINGTON – The Humane Society of the United States today applauded the U.S. House of Representatives for finalizing the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act (PETS) Act to help ensure that America's pets and service animals aren't left behind in a disaster. The House approved the bill tonight by voice vote to require the inclusion of companion animals in disaster planning at the state and local levels. The HSUS urges President Bush to sign the bill into law.
"We're extremely grateful to House and Senate leaders for promptly taking up the legislation, passing it, and sending it on to the President," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. "While Katrina spawned so much suffering and dislocation, it also made plain there exists a remarkable bond between people and their pets and that our public policies need to better reflect our sensibilities about animals."
The House PETS legislation, which originally passed overwhelmingly by 349-24 in May, was introduced by Rep. Tom Lantos (D-Calif.) and Rep. Chris Shays (R-Conn.) just weeks after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, and was followed by a Senate version that was introduced by Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) 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
"Congress has taken a major humanitarian step forward today. Pet-owning families and disabled people with service animals now can rest assured that provisions for their safety and that of their animal companions will be made in case of disaster," said Rep. Lantos. "Never again will Americans with disabilities or with cherished household pets have to choose between their own safety and the animals they depend on."
HSUS disaster experts say that evacuations would run more smoothly if pets are included in pre-disaster planning. 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.
"Two-thirds of American households own pets, and when Katrina hit, many pet owners had to choose between their own safety and the safety of their pets," said Rep. Shays, co-chair of the Congressional Friends of Animal Caucus along with Rep. Lantos. "The PETS Act will help us ensure that during future emergencies we have plans to protect pet owners and their pets. I am grateful to have worked closely with The Humane Society of the United States and Mr. Lantos to help bring this bill over the finish line."
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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization with more than 9.5 million members and constituents. The HSUS is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals, disaster preparedness and response, wildlife and habitat protection, marine mammals, animals in research, equine protection, and farm animal welfare. The HSUS protects all animals through education, investigation, litigation, legislation, advocacy and field work. The nonprofit organization is based in Washington and has field representatives and offices across the country. On the web at www.hsus.org.
