May 23rd, 2006

New Bill includes Pets in Diaster Planning

A new bill that requires state leaders to include pet owners in emergency evacuation plans went before the House on Monday.  State and local preparedness offices that fail to include plans for the evacuation of pets and service animals would not qualify for FEMA grants.  If the bill passes, evacuation plans that include pets would be a huge incentive for residents in danger to evacuate.  A recent Zogby International poll found that “49 percent of adults say they would refuse to evacuate if they couldn’t take their pets with them.”