PETS Act

The PETS Act, introduced in the Senate by U.S. Senators Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) among others, will require local and state disaster plans to include provisions for household pets and service animals in the event of a major disaster or emergency. Although both the House and Senate bills passed, the Senate language is much stronger. The House bill provides that the Director of Homeland Security take into account the needs of individuals with pets and service animals following a major disaster. The Senate version is a bit more comprehensive in that it provides that the Director take into account the needs of individuals with pets and service animals prior to, during, and following a major disaster. It also provides for funding to the States and local authorities for animal emergency preparedness, including procurement, construction, leasing, or renovating of emergency shelter facilities and materials that will accommodate people with pets and service animals.