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Bill Would Force Pet Evacuation Plans
Legislation Would Deny FEMA Funding to States Without Emergency Plans for Pets

Oct. 9, 2005 — - Like thousands of other Gulf Coast residents, Janice Hebbler was forced to leave her pets behind when she fled Hurricane Katrina.

"It was the saddest day of my life," Hebbler said.

She thought she'd never again see her dog, Heather Roux. But after six weeks, they finally were reunited.

Now, there is a movement in Congress to make sure no one has to go through that agony again.

Rep. Tom Lantos, D-Calif., who encourages his staff to bring their dogs to work, has introduced legislation requiring state and local governments to devise emergency evacuation plans for pets, or else lose out on disaster grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

"We will save lives by this, because people will not be forced to choose between being with their pets or getting out of the way of a hurricane," Lantos said.