Animal Emergency Planning Act

Floor Speech

(Ms. TITUS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)

Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise on National Animal Advocacy Day to announce the introduction of the Animal Emergency Planning Act of 2014. This bill would require entities regulated under the Animal Welfare Act to develop a plan for how they will respond to and recover from emergencies, both natural and manmade, that would most likely occur in their facilities.

Regulated animal breeding facilities, commercial animal dealers, transporters, exhibitors, and research facilities would be required to submit plans to the USDA annually and to train their employees on the contingency plans and procedures.

Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy, as well as other recent disasters, have highlighted the need for planning to minimize the impact of these disasters on animals, which can have devastating effects.

Local first responders, nongovernmental agencies, and private individuals in the past have often ended up shouldering the cost and taking on the responsibility of protecting and caring for these animals. It is only fair and reasonable to require emergency readiness plans from those in these businesses. So please join me in cosponsoring this legislation.

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