WASHINGTON – The Humane Society of the United States is urging Congress to act quickly to enact legislation that addresses the needs of the animal victims of disasters. The Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act, H.R. 3858, requires state and local emergency management agencies that receive federal funding to make plans for people with pets or the disabled who rely on service animals to safely evacuate along with their animals in the event of a disaster.

Representatives Tom Lantos (D-CA) and Christopher Shays (R-CT) introduced the bill in the U.S. House of Representatives last week after thousands of animals were abandoned during the flooding and subsequent evacuation of New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Representatives Barney Frank (D-MA), James Oberstar (D-MN), and Don Young (R-AK) are cosponsors of the bill.  Rep. Young is chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, where the bill has been assigned, and Rep. Oberstar is the committee's ranking Democrat.

"Hurricane Katrina exposed one of the major gaps in our government's disaster plans," said Wayne Pacelle, HSUS president and CEO. "Pets are beloved members of our families, and many people will refuse to evacuate if they're forced to leave their animals behind. The Congress must act before the next disaster hits, in order to prevent people from confronting this awful choice."

Over the last month, federal, state and local agencies cooperated with non-governmental organizations and individuals to execute the largest animal rescue operation ever undertaken. Organizations such as The HSUS, ASPCA, Louisiana SPCA and countless local animal control agencies and individual rescuers from across the country have saved 4,300 animals abandoned in New Orleans and surrounding parishes after Hurricane Katrina. Hundreds of pets have already been reunited with their families, and the rescue and reunification efforts are ongoing. In Mississippi, more than 2,300 animals have been rescued.

The Louisiana and Mississippi state veterinarians' offices and the U.S. Department of Agriculture have responded as well, mobilizing a team of veterinarians to address the medical needs of animals. FEMA has supplied tents and cots to house hundreds of staff and volunteers caring for the animals at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales, La.

State officials have informed The HSUS that they will soon limit intake of rescued animals through the Lamar-Dixon facility.  But The HSUS has vowed to continue to conduct rescue activities, and is working with the Louisiana SPCA to locate and equip a new facility for intake of additional animals. Rescue teams are making significant progress in visiting the addresses, submitted via rescue request, where an animal is known to be in need of assistance. Thousands of people called or emailed The HSUS (through 1-800-HUMANE-1 or www.hsus.org) to report animals in need of rescue. The HSUS Lamar-Dixon facility is expected to remain open for people to claim lost pets through mid-October.

Some states and localities have done extensive planning to coordinate with local animal care and control agencies. California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Maine, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania are among the states that have made significant strides in animal disaster planning and response. When Texas called for evacuations in advance of Hurricane Rita, Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas of Galveston and Governor Rick Perry were clear in stating that evacuees could bring their pets along.

"Texas officials learned the lessons of Hurricane Katrina," said Pacelle. "Letting people bring their pets on public transportation and into specially designated animal-friendly evacuation shelters does not hamper evacuation or rescue efforts.  It speeds along rescue activities when people know they won't have to abandon their pets."

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization representing more than 9 million members and constituents. The non-profit organization is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals and equine protection, disaster preparedness and response, wildlife and habitat protection, animals in research and farm animal welfare. The HSUS protects all animals through education, investigation, litigation, legislation, advocacy, and field work. The group is based in Washington and has numerous field representatives across the country.