The growing threat of natural disasters in the US and around the world is impacting animals as well as people. A bipartisan bill introduced in Congress called the Planning for Animal Wellness (PAWS) Act was created to address this issue.

The PAWS Act will help protect pets and other animals during and after natural disasters and other emergencies. It will direct FEMA to establish an advisory group with outside experts who will align FEMA guidelines with current best practices in animal care for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.

A co-sponsor of the bill, Senator Rob Portman says, “It is concerning that animal and veterinary needs are often overlooked during disasters. This bill will help ensure families and other animal owners have up-to-date guidance for disaster preparedness.”

During a disaster, some pets are abandoned while in other cases, some people will postpone evacuation because they don’t know what to do with their animals. In past disasters, animal rescue and welfare organizations have stepped in to fill the needs of affected pets and their owners.

Supporters of the bill hope that the PAWS Act will foster collaborative efforts among individuals and entities working to address the needs of animals in disaster preparedness. The advisory group will review current disaster planning guidance on animals and update FEMA practices as needed.

The PAWS Act is endorsed by many animal welfare organizations. Anne McCann, Chair-Elect of the National Animal Rescue and Sheltering Coalition, says, “This legislation will lead to greater coordination between all levels of government and the nongovernmental sector, where much of the nation’s professional animal expertise and response capabilities exist, to better protect both human and animal lives. It has the potential to greatly reduce suffering and hardship in America before, during, and after natural disasters.”

You can read the text of the PAWS Act HERE. For more information on emergency preparedness for pet owners, check out this blog article.