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There are over 358 million pets in the United States, residing in 63
percent of American households. Before Hurricane Katrina, many state
and federal laws did not include arrangements for pets in disaster
plans, and thousands of pets and owners were separated. Now,
officials are taking note so the scenario is not repeated. A recent
Zogby International poll found that 61 percent of pet owners say
they would refuse to evacuate if they could not take their pets with
them. "We see every day more and more evidence of how dear pets
are to peoples' hearts," said Ed Sayres, president and chief
executive officer of the ASPCA, "and it is only logical to consider
them when planning for events and incidents that significantly
impact human life. Indeed, as humane citizens who are responsible
for the well-being of animals, we owe it to them."
"Disaster can strike at any time and any place," said Wayne
Pacelle, president and chief executive officer of the Humane Society
of the United States. "As we learned from Hurricane Katrina, every
family must have a disaster plan that includes their pets. If it's
not safe for you, it's not safe for your pets."
Similar laws have passed in California, Florida, Hawaii,
Louisiana, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York and Vermont,
and a resolution passed in New Mexico. On the federal level,
President Bush signed the Pets Evacuation and Transportation
Standards Act in October 2006. The act requires the inclusion of
companion animals in disaster planning at the state and local
levels.
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 Founded in 1866, the American Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals was the first humane organization established in
the Western Hemisphere and today has 1 million supporters. The
ASPCA's mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of
cruelty to animals throughout the United States. The organization
provides national leadership in humane education, government affairs
and public policy, shelter support, and animal poison control. The
New York City headquarters houses a full-service animal hospital,
animal behavior center and adoption facility. The Humane Law
Enforcement department enforces New York's animal cruelty laws and
is featured on the reality television series "Animal Precinct" on
Animal Planet. For more information, visit
www.aspca.org.
The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest
animal protection organization, with nearly 10 million members and
constituents. HSUS is a mainstream voice for animals, with active
programs in companion animals, disaster preparedness and response,
wildlife and habitat protection, marine mammals, animals in
research, equine protection, and farm animal welfare. The society
protects all animals through education, investigation, litigation,
legislation, advocacy and fieldwork. The nonprofit organization is
based in Washington and has field representatives and offices across
the country. For more information, visit
www.hsus.org.
[News release from the American
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals]
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