On May 22, 2006, the United States House of Representatives approved a bill that would force local and state officials to include pets and service animals in evacuation plans. The "Pet Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act" passed with 349 in favor, 24 disapproving. A similar measure awaits approval in the United States Senate. You can read about it on Christopher Shays' web site — he was one of the sponsors of the bill.

The bill was written in response to the plight of pets and their human companions during hurricane Katrina, when the people were forced to leave the animals behind. The bill requires state and local preparedness offices to include pets and service animals in their emergency preparedness and evacuation plans. Or, you know, they don't get federal money. Heh.

Shays pointed out that "When asked to choose between abandoning their pets or their personal safety, many pet owners chose to risk their lives." Well, yeah. Bruce and I would totally be waiting until nightfall so we could catch the Finsters while the tornado ripped the place apart around us.

By the way, Louisiana and areas hit by Katrina and the other hurricanes from last season are still a mess. Visit the Humane Society of Louisiana, to find out what's going on with animals there.