The purpose of this bill is to extend the protection and holding period for family pets in shelters following natural disasters. This legislation aims to:
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Prohibit Euthanasia: Prevent shelters from euthanizing family pets for at least 30 days post-disaster to give families sufficient time to locate and reclaim their pets.
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Create a National Pet Recovery Database: Establish a centralized, accessible online database where shelters can upload images and details of rescued pets. This database would:
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Allow families to search for and identify their lost pets from any location.
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Include features for uploading lost pet information by pet owners, facilitating quicker reunification.
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Natural disasters like hurricanes, wildfires, and floods often lead to the displacement of both people and their pets. The aftermath of these events can be chaotic, with pets ending up in various shelters, sometimes far from their original homes.
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Shelters often face overcrowding and resource constraints post-disaster, which historically has led to premature euthanasia decisions to manage space and health risks.
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The emotional and psychological impact on families unable to find their pets can be profound, adding to the trauma of disaster recovery.
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Increased Chance of Reunification: By extending the holding period and providing a robust database, the likelihood of pet reunification increases significantly.
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Support for Shelter Operations: This law would encourage shelters to seek alternative solutions like foster programs or partnerships with rescue organizations rather than euthanasia.
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Public Health and Safety: Properly managed shelters can reduce the spread of disease among animals, which is a concern when shelters are overcrowded.