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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Never Again: Louisiana Pet Evacuation Bill Provides For People And Pets In A
Disaster
Citizens rally for Louisiana´s Pet Evacuation Bill and urge fellow residents
to:
oAsk your state Senators and Representatives to support the Pet Evacuation
Bill. Call 225-342-2040 today for their contact information.
oJoin the People & Pets March: Monday, April 17, 2:00 p.m., State Capitol in
Baton Rouge.
oAttend the Hearing for SB-607: Tuesday, April 18, 1:30 p.m., State Capitol in
Baton Rouge.
Baton Rouge, LA o April 17, 2006-People and their pets march to the steps of
the state capitol in solidarity for Louisiana Senator Heulette Fontenot´s Pet
Evacuation Bill SB-607. In response to the tens of thousands of pets left
stranded in Katrina´s broken homes and toxic waters, citizens send an "If I
leave, they leave" message to the Louisiana legislature.
Senator Fontenot's Senate Bill No. 607 (SB-607) Pet Evacuation Bill requires
state and parish homeland security and emergency preparedness agencies "to
consult with experts in the fields of animal sheltering, veterinary medicine,
public health and safety, and other professional and technical personnel deemed
appropriate to formulate emergency operation plans for the humane evacuation,
transport, and temporary sheltering of service animals and household pets in
times of emergency or disaster." [SB-607:
http://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=375498]
Realizing an emergency plan with no animal component is out of touch with
constituents, Senator Fontenot told reporters: "I felt we were derelict in our
duties to the citizens of Louisiana, because we didn't make arrangements for
pets. I don't think we recognize that pet-human bond that was there, and a lot
of people refused to evacuate because they weren't going to leave their pets
behind."
Laura K. Maloney, of the Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals, estimates animal protection volunteers recovered 16,000 animals in the
wake of Hurricane Katrina. (In New Orleans alone, 50,000 to 70,000 dogs were
pre-Katrina family members.) Most ended up in shelters around the U.S. Only
3,000 were reunited with their guardians.
Many Louisiana disaster victims were forced to choose between survival and
their pets. Unforgivable images are etched into our nation's conscience: A
white dog is ripped from a boy's arms as he boards a bus. A bewildered yellow
Lab watches his family disappear in a helicopter. An elderly woman cannot
receive medical care unless she deserts her cats. A man swims and walks for
miles with his dog, only to learn he must abandon his loyal friend.
Long after the last humans had evacuated, thousands of pets roamed empty
streets. Many survived water and wind, only to succumb to dehydration and
starvation. Seven months beyond the storm, animal advocates continue to rescue
and rehabilitate displaced pets.
To ensure animal companions are never again left to suffer and die, SB-607
advocates encourage Louisiana residents to contact their state Senators and
Representatives, join the April 17 People & Pets March, and attend the April 18
hearing for SB-607.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Save Our Pets at pets@pets911.org or 504-305-
4113
Thank you.
Capt. Ron Fach
Humane Law Enforcement-Florida
Disaster Response Teams and
Computerized Lost/Found records
the Pet Owners Alliance Inc.
http://www.pets911.org
1-800-U.S.Stray
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