Governor Approved AB No. 450 on Sept. 29, 2006

• CARES –OES – CDFA
• California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA)
• Office of Emergency Management Services (OES)
• Requires OES to approve the plan and enter into an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with CDFA by January 31, 2007.
 
CALIFORNIA ANIMAL RESPONSE EMERGENCY SYSTEM
CARES Mission
• “…Coordinate the allocation of state resources in support of local government when animals are impacted by a disaster…veterinary care; evacuation; temporary shelter; food/water; identification; return to their owner; disposal of carcasses to prevent health hazards”
 
For more information on CARES, check the website at:
 
http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/ah/pdfs/CARES Fact Sheet.pdf
 
 
PETS Act Bill
Lessons Learned during Katrina lead to landmark federal legist ration
President Bush signed the PETS Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act, October 6, 2006 to help insure that America’s pets and service animals aren’t left behind in the next disaster.
 
PETS Act
• Requires the inclusion of companion animals in disaster planning
• State and Local levels
• Approved unanimous voice vote in the U.S. Senate on August 4
• Approved U.S. House of Representatives on September 20
 
The Final PETS Act Bill
• Contains provisions with disaster planning including: local and state emergency preparedness authorities include plans for pets and service animals in their disaster plans to qualify for FEMA grants.
FEMA Grants
• Give FEMA the authority to assist states and local communities in developing disaster plans to accommodate people with pets and service animals
 
• Authorizing federal funds to help create pet-friendly emergency shelter facilities
 
• Allows FEMA to provide assistance for individuals with pets and service animals, and the animals themselves, following a major disaster
 
FACTS
• Ten of thousands of animals became homeless or perished


• People lost their lives in the wake of Katrina because government responders told them their animals had to be left behind.
FACTS
• Over 358 million pets in the United States residing in 63% of American households.


• Recent Zogby International poll found that 61% of pet owners say they would refuse to evacuate if they could not take their pets with them.


• 50-60% wouldn’t evacuate without their pets.
FACTS
• Over 11,000,000 California households have pets in their homes (most are a multiple pet household)