If disaster strikes: people will not be forced to abandon pets

The U.S. Senate unanimously approved a Senate substitute to H.R. 3858, the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act.

The PETS Act, introduced in the House by U.S. Reps. Tom Lantos (D-CA) and Chris Shays (R-CT) and in the Senate by U.S. Senators Ted Stevens (R-AK) and Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), will "require the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to ensure that state and local emergency preparedness operational plans address the needs of individuals with household pets and service animals following a major disaster or emergency."

Many activists and rescue groups lobbied Congress, including the HSUS national advertising campaign to pass this legislation quickly to keep people and pets together next time disaster strikes.