National Coalition Wants to Include Pets in Emergency Response Plans
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the nation’s most
prominent animal welfare organizations have joined forces
to form an animal rescue coalition dedicated to working with
Congress to create a more comprehensive emergency disaster
response plan.
The National Emergency Animal Rescue Coalition includes the
American Humane Association (Englewood, Colo.), the American
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (New York),
the Animal Welfare Institute (Washington), the Doris Day Animal
League (Washington), the Society for Animal Protective Legislation
(Washington), The Humane Society of the United States (Washington),
United Animal Nations (Sacramento, Calif.) and the World Society
for the Protection of Animals (London).
“More than half of American families include pets,
so it is imperative that we, as a nation, make provisions
so that during natural disasters, we are prepared to evacuate
and offer shelter to all living creatures,” said Marie
Belew Wheatley, chief executive officer and president of the
American Humane Association.
In an open letter to the 109th Congress, the coalition called
for the following measures to facilitate relief efforts after
disasters such as Hurricane Katrina:
- Streamlining bureaucratic processes so rescues and transfers
of animals in crisis can move forward. People with the skills
and abilities to rescue animals must be given immediate access
to enter the areas impacted by disasters.
- Providing financial assistance to expedite animal evacuation
efforts and to rebuild the animal care and control systems
in the communities impacted by disasters.
- Establishing a national Red Cross Model for handling animal
rescue during emergencies. Animal rescue plans must be integrated
with human rescue plans; there must be clear procedures outlining
who should serve in leadership roles as well as chains of
command for directing the rescue, treatment, shelter and relocation
of animals impacted by disaster.
- Assuring that future evacuation plans provide for the safe
evacuation of animals. While the first priority should be
saving human lives, it must be maintained that a major part
of keeping humans safe is ensuring that family pets will be
cared for. This will encourage pet owners to better heed evacuation
orders.
“Federal and state emergency management officials failed
the residents of Louisiana because of the lack of advance
disaster planning,” Wheatley said. “Many animals
died unnecessarily and many more will never be reunited with
their families. In the future we must do better. The work
of the National Emergency Animal Rescue Coalition brings the
experience, talents and resources of the animal welfare community
together to help government protect all family members; including
those with fur or feathers.”
To review the coalition’s letter, visit www.americanhumane.org.
To receive a copy, call (703) 294-6690. [January 2006 PET
AGE]
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