House Bill For Pet Evacuation Passes

[reeskujo]

Pets will now be considered in emergencies, house bill passes






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AP


Created: 5/23/2006 1:28:31 PM
Updated: 5/23/2006 2:31:27 PM


Washington - A television shot of a little boy losing his dog during Katrina rescue operations was the catalyst for House passage Monday of legislation requiring pets to be considered in future emergency preparedness plans.

The bill, which passed 349-24, requires that state and local preparedness offices take into account pet owners, household pets and service animals when drawing up evacuation plans. Offices that fail to do so would not qualify for grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Rep. Christopher Shays, (R) Connecticut, said that the lack of pet rescue plans put many pet owners in danger after Katrina.

"When asked to choose between abandoning their pets or their personal safety, many pet owners chose to risk their lives," he said.


Looks like all the petitions have paid off....We're on our way to doing it In Illinois as well!!!!Yeah for the pets and victims.....Good job to all that signed these petitions.

[John Olexa]

Thats great, they would have had to shoot me to get me to leave!

AOL had a poll & I think was something like
Would you stay with your pets= 81% yes
Would you leave them if you had to = 12%
Dont have pets - 7%

[reeskujo]

We lived in Fl.When Katrina hit and they thought it was going to hit us directly.....They were already telling us to evacute....Right away hubby and I said no way....We're staying with Kujo....Being a nurse they told me I had to come in....I asked if they had a place I could keep Kujo If I crated him,they said no and I told them well I guess if it hits I'll be fired because I'm not leaving him alone to fend for himself or die alone....Then they threatened to pull my license...I said be my guest....Don't much care....Needless to say it didn't hit us but there's no way I could've left and as I was leaving look baby at that baby's eye's,scared and wondering why we were leaving him...I rescued him to save him not abandon him!!!!

[John Olexa]

Makes me sick to my Stomach just thinking about it.

[reeskujo]

I cried just at the thought.

[John Olexa]

*looks around* just between you & me I almost did :o

[misswoof]

After the massive events of late,I had tried to get the appropriate info about what the regulations are in the event of an evacuation.I have been shuffled from pillar to post and am still trying to find out.I think the devastation was such an eyeopener,that I didn't want Aussies to find out the hard way.Through a disaster,is not the way to find out what rights we have.

I gleaned some great idea's from the american site.I'm going to keep pushing so that no matterwhat,our animals won't be considered as an afterthought.I have drafts of info sheets with your dogs info as well as a packed bag for emergencies only with collars,harness,bottled water,a toy,dog food.We keep one ready at all times.The info sheets are great because I put a photo plus other pertinent info,so if you become separated you can post the sheet.I'm trying to educate whoever will listen!! That their safety,especially in times of disaster,is the owners responsibility.As much as health care.

I'm with you guys,I wouldn't leave the girls.I'm also a nurse,and I don't think your request was unreasonable.How could you chose one life over another?You would like to think that any medical person would understand that.

But if I have missed something obvious,please point it out! thanks

[Sassyblonde]

This thread just made my day! I feel VERY strongly about this issue, and wrote two letters to my state senator and representative. Then with graduation and such, I lost track of what happened with it.

VICTORY!!!!!! Not just for the animals, but for the people that love them.

[Magnum]

Great news!! It shows what the power of petitions and speaking up can do.

Misswoof, kudos to you for digging in and trying to get things changed in your area. It takes people like you to make a difference for those that can't speak for themselves. :)