Planning for Animal Wellness Act

Floor Speech

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Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus, I rise in support of S. 4205, the Planning for Animal Wellness, or PAW Act. This is the Senate companion to legislation I introduced along with Chairman DeFazio to help protect our beloved pets during disasters.

When preparing for and responding to disasters, animal welfare often is not taken into consideration. Sadly, some owners make the risky decision of refusing to evacuate in order to stay with their pets. We have seen heartbreaking pictures of people on their roofs during floods clinging to their animals, along with their children and a few household possessions.

The PAW Act establishes a FEMA advisory group to align agency guidance with current best practices in animal welfare for emergency preparedness. This will ensure first responders and Federal disaster response workers can help pet owners plan to keep every member of their family, even the furry and feathered ones, safe during a disaster.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation. I also thank Senators Peters and Johnson for their leadership on this in the other Chamber. I urge your vote in support.

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