ASPCA Commends Federal Lawmakers for Introducing Legislation to Protect People and Pets During Disasters

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) commended Sens. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) for introducing the PETSAFE Act (H.R.7438/S.4558) – federal legislation that would help protect people and pets during disasters by amending the existing Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) program to incentivize investments in animal-related emergency preparedness. A companion bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this year by Reps. Brian Mast (R-Fla.), Dina Titus (D-Nev.), Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.), and Judy Chu (D-Calif.).

Americans consider their pets to be a part of the family, and many won’t evacuate during an emergency without them, putting animals, families, and first responders at risk. Disaster planning for pets is disaster planning for people and the PETSAFE Act would reflect this reality by incentivizing state, local and tribal governments to strengthen emergency preparedness for animals.

The PETSAFE Act would amend the existing EMPG program to increase the portion of costs covered by the federal government from 50% to 90% for pet-related emergency preparedness activities, such as investing in mobile equipment trailers, emergency sheltering equipment and supplies, medical supplies, training staff and providing other vital resources for animals. Additionally, it would require that state and local emergency plans account for the needs of animal shelters, ensuring that pets are fully included in disaster planning.

“From last year’s devastating wildfires in Southern California to assisting with the recent Typhoon Sinlaku relief efforts in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the ASPCA’s disaster response team has seen firsthand how a lack of emergency preparedness can lead to devastating consequences for animals and for the people who risk their lives to protect them,” said Matt Bershadker, ASPCA President and CEO. “Investing in resources, training and planning that includes pets in emergency response plans is critical to preventing further loss and suffering. We are grateful to Senators Schiff and Tillis, as well as Representatives Mast, Titus, Buchanan and Chu for introducing the PETSAFE Act to give communities the tools they need to better prepare and care for pets before, during and after disasters.”

“Our pets are part of our families, and when disaster strikes, it’s important that communities have the resources to ensure they aren’t left behind,” said Sen. Adam Schiff. “I’m proud to partner with Representative Brian Mast to reintroduce this legislation which will help us protect our animals during major disasters and emergencies.”

“When disaster strikes, families should never have to choose between their own safety and the safety of a beloved pet,” said Sen. Thom Tills. “The PETSAFE Act strengthens emergency preparedness by helping states and local communities better shelter and care for companion animals during natural disasters and emergencies.”

“When we plan better for animals, we save human lives too,” said Rep. Brian Mast. “This bill helps communities prepare smarter, respond faster, and keep families together when disaster strikes.”

“One of the great lessons of Hurricane Katrina’s images of people who refused to evacuate without their pets was the need for emergency planning to include animals,” said Nancy Blaney, Director of Government Affairs for the Animal Welfare Institute. “Senators Schiff and Tillis recognize that such planning takes resources that many communities don’t have, and their bill, the PETSAFE Act, will strengthen a grant program designed to support efforts to care for animals before, during, and after a disaster. Failing to provide for pets in emergencies puts human as well as animal lives in jeopardy.”

“The heartbreaking decision to evacuate with or without our pets should never be imposed on families during any crisis. The PETSAFE Act is a critical step towards safer, comprehensive disaster response that includes every member of the family,” said Sara Amundson, President, Humane World Action Fund. “This bill reflects a shared bipartisan, bicameral commitment to help strengthen public safety and animal welfare during crises providing a practical solution when disaster strikes.”

According to a national ASPCA survey, 83% of current pet owners reported living in a community that faces natural disasters. Additionally, more than 90% of pet owners said they would bring their pet with them during an evacuation, yet only 46% of pet owners have a disaster preparedness plan in place. ASPCA research also shows that pets are not adequately considered in public health research and policy, and as a result, the devastating burden that is put on families and communities is costly. By developing plans that incorporate pet-inclusive evacuations, policymakers can increase the likelihood of pet owners’ compliance to help keep families together and communities safer.  

Since the inception of the ASPCA disaster response team in 2010, the ASPCA has responded to more than 85 disasters, assisting over 190,000 animals in impacted communities. During the devastating wildfires in Southern California last year, the ASPCA assisted more than 3,900 animals through on-the-ground disaster relief efforts including animal search-and-rescue, daily shelter support and care of displaced pets, disaster management guidance, supply distribution, and more.

In addition to providing boots on the ground assistance in response to disasters, the ASPCA works closely with local agencies across the country to help enhance their animal response capabilities through grants and training opportunities. In 2025, the ASPCA awarded more than $5 million to 115 animal welfare and municipal agencies supporting animals, equines, and their owners in communities impacted or at high-risk of natural disasters through its California Wildfire Response & Preparedness Fund, Hurricane Katrina 20th Anniversary Disaster Preparedness Grants, and Disaster Response & Capacity Building grant initiatives.

The ASPCA also works with policymakers to advance policies that enhance disaster response planning, including by ensuring that local governments designate pet-friendly sheltering sites to give people a safe and comfortable place to evacuate with their pets.=

For more information about the ASPCA or to learn how to incorporate pets – including cats, dogs, equines and exotics – into disaster preparedness plans, visit aspca.org/disasterprep.