Protecting Our Pets During Disasters
The Pets Evacuation & Transportation Standards Act or PETS is a new federal law as of October 2006. Under the PETS act, FEMA is now required to take into account the needs of any one with a service animal or companion pet. Included in the funding of state as well as local disaster plans of evacuation rescues for emergency or major disaster is also stated in the PETS act. This means that FEMA is allowed to aid in rescuing personal pets and other service animals, before, during and after a disaster strikes.
Many states are uniting in efforts to assure animal safety during a disaster, in addition to the federal PETS Act. This means they have either revised an existing bill that includes the protection of companion pets and service animals, or passed their own pet evacuation bill.
A bill was passed in June of 2006 in the state of Louisiana that enables the state to help in evacuations and offer assistance and shelter to any pet caught in a disaster. These animals will be given a bar code tag for identification, while their owners have a copy to locate their pets once the emergency is over.
Several states have established better disaster action plans to ensure that no pets will be abandoned or left behind such as:
California,
Florida
Hawaii
Illinois
Louisiana
Maine
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
Vermont
The pet policy of the American Red Cross has undergone modification by joining with the local animal welfare agencies all over the nation while establishing shelter to accommodate pets in separate rooms or in a facility in the same location.
The internet has been most useful with many local human societies and animal control departments as a means of reuniting pets with their owners, by posting descriptions and pictures. For more information, you should call your local animal agency.
Joann Henry operates “Doggie Health Care” http://www.DoggieHealthCare.com a blog all about our beloved four legged family member’s health. She loves to give away free stuff! If you sign up to receive her newsletter, not only will you get some free tips to keep your dog healthier, but FOR A LIMITED TIME, she’ll give you a FREE ebook. For more information, please visit: http://www.DoggieHealthCare.com
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