The Pet Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act passed yesterday by a vote of 349-24.
The bill requires state and local officials to take into account service and companion animals when making evacuation plans in the event of emergency. No plan, no FEMA money.
Nice!
Only the most churlish animal-hater could have been unmoved by the horrific footage of dogs and cats left behind during the post-Katrina evacuation. Some 600,000+ pets died or were left without shelter. Organizations such as Noah's Wish have done wonderful work, and Eric Rice's work has been nothing short of amazing. To add to the trauma of people losing their homes and all their belongings, the trauma of losing their beloved companion animals -- when transport can be made available -- is just cruel.
So I'm glad to see that with the exception of 24 representatives -- all but one of them Republican, including my district's Scott Garrett -- the House realized that when people lose everything, their pets are as important as any other family member.
The bill now moves on to the Senate, where the unlikely tag team of Sens. Ted Stevens of Alaska and NJ's own Frank Lautenberg are offering up a similar version.
And lest you think that the post-Katrina animal situation has been resolved, guess again:
(Hat tip: Jazz)
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