Fwd: Disaster Alert: Save pets from the next hurricane

October 1, 2005

Note: forwarded message attached.

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This matted dog,

still awaiting rescue, was one of thousands stranded in New

Orleans.

Dear Paul,

Over the past three days alone, our Disaster Animal

Response Teams in Louisiana have rescued more than 700

animals -- bringing the total number of animals we've

helped save across the region to more than 7,000. While our work

in the areas hit by Katrina and Rita will continue for months,

perhaps years, our disaster teams' efforts have been truly

remarkable -- thanks to your support.

But

even as you read this, we know that pets -- animals who, for

some reason, haven't yet made any rescue lists --

remain trapped in their homes or out on the streets. Many remain

stranded or homeless for one tragic reason:

Their caregivers, when forced to evacuate, were

not allowed to take their pets with them. Government

officials and human relief agencies did not have an emergency

plan in place to accommodate people and their pets.

With your help, we can change this for future disasters:

Take action NOW and ask your U.S.

Representative to support the Pets Evacuation and Transportation

Standards Act (PETS Act) to ensure relief agencies plan for pets

and that a tragedy of this magnitude never happens

again.

Last Thursday, Congressmen Tom Lantos (D-CA), Christopher

Shays (R-CT), Barney Frank (D-MA), Don Young (R-AK), and James

Oberstar (D-MN) introduced the PETS Act to ensure that in

future disasters, people will not be forced to leave behind

their household pets and service animals such as seeing-eye

dogs, as they were in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

The

PETS Act requires local and state emergency preparedness

authorities to include pets and service animals in their

disaster evacuation plans. Local and state authorities must

submit these plans to qualify for grants from the Federal

Emergency Management Agency. With your help, we have a

chance to pass this bill and save pets during future

disasters:

1. Take

Action and urge your U.S. Representative

to co-sponsor H.R. 3858, the Pets Evacuation and

Transportation Standards Act, and do everything possible to get

it passed SOON. It will only take a minute using our easy online

tools.

2. Spread the

Word. Urge your friends and family to

contact their Representatives about this bill. We cannot win

unless we have a large, loud majority urging our legislators to

protect pets during future disasters. Click

here to spread the word.

When a disaster strikes in the future, The Humane

Society of the United States wants to work hand-in-hand

with government responders. Animal rescue is an enormous task,

and we can't do it alone.

As

The HSUS and other animal groups continue to search for, rescue,

and shelter animals in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, it's

heartening to know that you're standing with us. Please contact

your Representative today and urge

him/her to co-sponsor and unequivocally support the PETS Act so

it can be adopted before Congress adjourns for the year. This

law will save the lives of both pets and the people who love

them.

Thank you for your swift action and for all you do on

behalf of animals.

Sincerely,Wayne PacellePresident & CEOThe Humane

Society of the United States

P.S. Our teams are continuing to

rescue and shelter animals across the devastated region.

For the latest update on our response to Hurricanes Katrina

and Rita, please

Copyright

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Relief Fund | 2100 L Street, NW | Washington, DC 20037

disaster |

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