Posted on 08/06/2006 11:59:15 AM PDT by Frank T
WASHINGTON -- In the wake of haunting images of pets left behind in flooded New Orleans, the U.S. Senate passed a bill Friday requiring local and state disaster agencies to take pets and service animals into account in their emergency planning.
The Senate approved the bill by unanimous consent in the early hours before recessing for its summer break.
The House of Representatives passed a similar bill in May and differences must be worked out before the legislation is sent to President Bush.
Wayne Pacelle, president of the Humane Society of the United States, called the measure "an important step in ensuring Americans will never again be forced to make an impossibly difficult choice: leave their animal behind while they flee a disaster or take their chances by staying in a disaster-stricken area with their pet."
The Senate bill gives the Federal Emergency Management Agency authority to help develop the plans, and authorizes financial help to states to create emergency shelters for people with animals.
Thousands of people refused to evacuate because they did not want to abandon their pets when Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast last year, and thousands of pets were left behind.
We would be much better off if Congress were put on recess for the next couple of decades. What our worst enemies haven't been able to do, Congress does on a daily basis.
This seems like an inconsequential issue, and you know what, it is. And that's just how far off base those idiots in Congress are. They actually think we couldn't get along without them. God how I'd love to show them how off target they are with that one.
I would rather save cats and dogs than the thousands of Looter Guys.
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot? How the hell is the job of the federal government? Look, I am an animal lover, but this is ridiculous.
More feel good happy stuff dumped at the local level. Shelters, antsy children, someone else's nervous animal, fecal and urine matter mixed in a doubtful hygienic situation...
Boy, can our representatives create more problems...
(And yeah, I've evacuated once with four cats coming with me.)
Also hope I'd have the sense to get out early if need be.
Oh boy, I can see the Humane Society of the U.S. now, this will be a big fundraising coup for them (See we got this bill passed to save your animals).
What they aren't telling anyone is that they raise approximately $50 million annually and don't spay, neuter, feed or house any animals. They left the dirty work during Katrina up to the local shelters, and used the disaster to raise more money. They are despicable.
They spend their money lobbying to end fishing, hunting, medical research on animals, sending anti medical research animal testing, hunting, and fishing propaganda to the school systems across the USA. They also are a real enemy to agricultural interests, want to put all cattle, horse, sheep, etc. farmers out of business.
Be very AWARE and concerned anytime they are backing something. I wonder how much money will be earmarked in the bill for the HSUS to study saving the animals?
Most states don't even adequately fund existing animal welfare agencies. Now they're expected to provide services for a contingency that may never occur?
The Democrats later claimed to be tricked into voting for it by thinking it was a gay rights bill....
I wouldn't leave Kipper either. But then, I would have evacuated in time and wouldn't have had to worry about it. If I couldn't evacuate for some reason, I still wouldn't have left him.
Well, I guess we had an unfair advantage. We live in Hancock County, MS, and we just hitched up the travel
trailer, loaded the pooch into the F-250 and hauled boody. I realize that a lot of people couldn't do that.
Can you imagine the scene during the next hurricane?
Whacked Out Evacuee: "I'm not leaving without Bambie my harmless little Gaboon Viper and my tank of Australian Brown Spiders. You can put them right next to Mrs. Magillicuty and her Bichon Frise."
Rescue Worker: "Ma'am I don't think we'll have room. We've got a full load of snarling Pit Bulls the crack dealers down the street say they just won't leave without."
Elderly Whacked Out Evacuee:"Young man it's a Federal Law. You have to rescue my pets. Now get cracking, boy. The waters rising."
Rescue Worker: "Well, I suppose we could put your lethal spiders in with that load of toddlers we just pulled from the ruined Day Care center down the street. I'll just tell them to be real careful. And I guess we could load your cuddly little venomous snake in with the guy who breeds wolverines. Would that be alright ma'am?"
Extremely Whacked Out Elderly Evacuee:" That'll be fine young man. Now just be sure you don't forget about Mr. Piffleman on the 8th floor. He's got 8 or 10 Howler Monkeys up there with him. They're service animals so you have to get them, too."
Some days I feel like I woke up in Supermans Bizarro World.
L
Many people in NOLA did not leave their homes before or even right after Katrina due to their pets.
I for one would not have left my border collie but would have been smart enough to have supplies on hand.
Most animals however are not.
The Politicians love to waste ( our ) the taxpayer's money.
If Peta was in charge, the animals would be killed.
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