On October 6, 2006, President Bush signed a historic new law into effect called the PETS Act, that requires the inclusion of all companion animals in to disaster planning at the state and local levels. It was approved by unanimous vote in the U.S. Senate on August 4, 2006 and the U.S. House of Representatives on September 20, 2006. No longer are our pets considered "Just animals." H. R. 3858 One Hundred Ninth Congress of the United States of America AT THE SECOND SESSION Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday, the third day of January, two thousand and six An Act To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 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. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act of 2006. SEC. 2. STANDARDS FOR STATE AND LOCAL EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS OPERATIONAL PLANS. Section 613 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5196b) is amended (1) by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (h); and (2) by inserting after subsection (f) the following: (g) S TANDARDS FOR STATE AND LOCAL EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS OPERATIONAL PLANS.In approving standards for State andlocal emergency preparedness operational plans pursuant to subsection (b) (3), the Director shall ensure that such plans take into account the needs of individuals with household pets and service animals prior to, during, and following a major disaster or emergency.. SEC. 3. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS MEASURES OF THE DIRECTOR. Section 611 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5196) is amended (1) in subsection (e) (A) in paragraph (2), by striking and at the end; (B) in paragraph (3), by striking the period and inserting ; and; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (4) plans that take into account the needs of individuals with pets and service animals prior to, during, and following a major disaster or emergency.; and (2) in subsection (j) (A) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (8) as paragraphs (3) through (9), respectively; and (B) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following: (2) The Director may make financial contributions, on the basis of programs or projects approved by the Director, to the States and local authorities for animal emergency H. R. 38582 preparedness purposes, including the procurement, construction, leasing, or renovating of emergency shelter facilities and materials that will accommodate people with pets and service animals.. SEC. 4. PROVIDING ESSENTIAL ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS WITH HOUSEHOLD PETS AND SERVICE ANIMALS FOLLOWING A DISASTER. Section 403(a)(3) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170b(a)(3)) is amended (1) in subparagraph (H), by striking and at the end; (2) in subparagraph (I), by striking the period and inserting ; and; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (J) provision of rescue, care, shelter, and essential needs (i) to individuals with household pets and service animals; and (ii) to such pets and animals.. Speaker of the House of Representatives. Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate. | 
