PETS Act briefing at U.S. Capitol underscores that animal issues are people issues

It pays to have an animal disaster preparedness plan in place, and entities that do so may be eligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance after major disasters.

Representatives from The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), FEMA, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s office and U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays (R-Conn.) gathered recently to discuss how the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act was implemented during the Southern California wildfires.

The PETS Acts was sponsored by Shays and the late U.S. Representative Tom Lantos (D-Calif.). It was signed by President Bush in 2006. It says, in part, that in order to qualify for certain FEMA funding, a city or state has to submit a disaster preparedness plan. These plans must include how they will accommodate pets or service animals. Federal funding is available on a cost-share basis to reimburse certain eligible activities undertaken to evacuate and shelter animals in the event of a Presidential disaster declaration. Activities may be performed by contractors or private nonprofits (PNP); however, the state or local government needs to apply for reimbursement on behalf of the PNP for activities undertaken.

Nancy Perry, vice president of government affairs at the HSUS said, “Pets are a completely integrated part of our families. Katrina drove home the serious implication of that bond obvious to everyone.”

Many victims of Hurricane Katrina would not evacuate without their pets and some died as a result.

Already, 15 states have pet evacuation plans and five other states have bills pending to require inclusion of pets and service animals in their state emergency plans.  

Many people evacuated with their pets during the Southern California wildfires last fall, said Karen Quarles, deputy director of Schwarzenegger’s Washington, D.C., office. Quarles presented pictures of people with their pets at evacuation sites. More than 3,000 animals and 2,000 people were at one evacuation site. Some animal evacuees included a zebra and a chinchilla.

Ollie Davidson, senior disaster advisor at the HSUS, has worked on more than 370 disasters. He said the best prepared states are those that have suffered many disasters and the states and cities whose leadership has recognized the importance of collaborative planning that includes government, businesses and nongovernmental organizations. At least 15 states and the District of Columbia have organizations that promote pet disaster evacuation planning. The number of such organizations is growing.

He said the following needs to be addressed when planning for pet evacuation. Tell people:

• To take their pets;
• Which shelter will house them; and
• Who’s going to care for the animals.

“If your plan is to house owners and pets separately, it’s doomed to failure,” Davidson said.

Communities should prepare, but so should individuals. People should have an evacuation kit for both themselves and their pets, including food, medication, bottled water and clothing/blankets.

Unfortunately in Katrina, that would not have helped much. Shays, who attended the briefing, got teary because Lantos, the co-sponsor of the bill, passed away Monday. At the Wednesday meeting, attendees heard how Lantos was compelled to co-sponsor the bill after being moved by footage of a young boy having to part with his dog Snowball. Lantos had his own little white dog.

“I was grateful to work on the PETS Act with the late Congressman Tom Lantos, and I am pleased we are discussing the efficacy of this important legislation today,” said Shays.  “Congressman Lantos cared deeply about human rights and animal rights, and it is appropriate that we continue to champion these causes that were so important to him.  The PETS Act is not just an animal welfare issue, it’s a public safety issue,” Shays concluded.

Attendees to the hearing were impressed that Lantos’ staff is still hard at work so soon after his passing.

For information on eligibility for FEMA aid, please visit http://www.fema.gov/government/grant/pa/9523_19.shtm
Are you prepared? To find out, please visit http://www.hsus.org/hsus_field/hsus_disaster_center/resources/