The US Senate on Friday, Aug. 4 unanimously approved a Senate substitute to HR 3858, the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act, adding language giving FEMA wider authority in developing disaster plans.
The PETS Act, introduced in the House by US Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA) and Rep. Chris Shays (R-CT) and in the Senate by Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) and Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), would require local and state disaster plans to include provisions for household pets and service animals in the event of a major disaster or emergency.
The House version, HR 3858, was approved in May by a 349 to 24 vote. That bill calls for emergency preparedness plans to include consideration of people with pets and service animals before a disaster strikes.
The Senate substituted its bill for the House measure, and its measure would grant FEMA the authority to assist in developing disaster plans; authorize financial help to states to create emergency shelters for people with their animals; and allow the provision of essential assistance for individuals with household pets and service animals, and the animals themselves, following a major disaster.
Maine, New Mexico, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, New Hampshire and Vermont have already passed state legislation, and California, Illinois, New Jersey and New York are currently considering bills dealing with animal disaster planning and response.
Having passed in both the House and Senate, the bill may proceed to a conference committee of senators and representatives to work out differences in the versions of the bill each chamber approved. The bill then awaits the signature of Pres. Bush before becoming law.
Posted: August 05, 2006, 5 a.m. EST