Moggies and doggies

Notwithstanding this post's playful title, the treatment of pets during disasters represents a major legal issue. The Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act, a leading subject of examination in this forum, incorporates the PETS (Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards) Act. In essence, the threatened withdrawal of federal money will require states to help evacuate pets during natural disasters.

The PETS Act addresses a major barrier to universal compliance with evacuation orders issued before or during disasters. According to one report, the "no pets" policy that required pet owners to abandon their animals during Hurricane Katrina accounted for nearly half of the refusals to heed evacuation orders. Pet owners, put simply, don't want to leave their pets behind.

I know a few cats who cheer this portion of the new legislation.