WASHINGTON – Today, as the U.S. House of Representatives' Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management holds a hearing on legislative proposals in response to Hurricane Katrina, The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) 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. Reps. Tom Lantos (D-CA) and Chris Shays (R-CT) introduced the PETS Act in September -- with Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Don Young (R-AK) and Ranking Member James Oberstar (D-MN) as original cosponsors -- after thousands of animals were abandoned during the flooding and subsequent evacuation of New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The bill now has 57 cosponsors.
"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 being forced to choose between their own safety and that of their pets."
After Hurricane Katrina hit, 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 saved 8,200 animals abandoned in Louisiana and Mississippi. Thousands of people called or emailed The HSUS (through 1-800-HUMANE-1 or www.hsus.org) to report animals in need of rescue. Hundreds of pets have already been reunited with their families, and the reunification efforts are ongoing.
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, and Florida called for evacuations in advance of Hurricane Wilma, Gov. Rick Perry and Gov. Jeb Bush were clear in stating that evacuees could bring their pets along.
"Many public 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.
