Legislation to require pet evac plans

From ANIMAL PEOPLE, November 2006:
WASHINGTON D.C.–U.S. President George W. Bush in early October
2006 signed into law the Pets Evacuation and Transportation
Stand-ards Act, requiring all states to produce pet evacuation plans
in order to qualify for Federal Emerg-ency Management Agency funding
for disaster preparedness.
“The law also authorizes FEMA to provide additional money
to create pet-friendly shelters and provide special assistance to pet
owners,” said American SPCA spokes-person Shonali Burke.
Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco signed a bill implementing
pet evacuation planning on June 23, 2006. The bill was passed
unanimously by both houses of the Louisiana legislation.
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger authorized a similar
bill on September 27, 2006.

“There appears to be language that will allow us to use
planning funds, but there does not appear to be any additional
money,” cautioned Maine Emerg-ency Management Agency acting director
Charles Jacobs, to Mal Leary of the Capitol News Service. But
Jacobs acknowledged the need for the law.
“We’ve been moving in this direction for several years,” Jacobs said.