ASPCA Commends Washington Gov. Ferguson for Signing Bill to Keep Pets Safe During Natural Disasters

OLYMPIA – The ASPCA^® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) commends Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson for signing H.B. 1201 into law today, which will help families with pets stay safe during natural disasters and extreme weather events. Sponsored by Rep. Mari Leavitt (D-University Place), H.B. 1201 is the first animal welfare bill signed by Gov. Ferguson and will require cities and counties to include pets in all levels of disaster planning. The new law will go into effect on July 1, 2025.

The rate of natural disasters and extreme weather events is rapidly increasing, and studies have found that the most significant risk factor for evacuation failure is pet ownership. It’s estimated that 80 percent of people who prematurely reenter an evacuation site do so to rescue a pet. Not only does this put the pet owners’ life in danger, but it also endangers first responders, who put their lives on the line to ensure the safety of the community. A lack of public preparedness, unclear state guidance, and low rate of pet-friendly emergency shelter facilities or co-shelters, where people can take and stay with or near their pets, all enhance these risks. Thankfully, H.B. 1201 will address these barriers, making it easier for pet owners to find shelter for pets in a disaster.

“No one should have to make the heartbreaking choice between seeking shelter or staying with their beloved pet during a crisis, and H.B. 1201 ensures they don’t have to by providing the tools and resources pet owners need to stay safe during disaster situations,” said Brittany Benesi, ASPCA senior director of state legislation for the Western Division. “The ASPCA is grateful to Representative Leavitt for championing this bill, and we thank Governor Ferguson for singing this critical bill into law to protect animals and the people who risk their lives to save them.”

“When disaster strikes, no one should have to choose between their own safety and the safety of their pets. HB 1201 ensures that Washington is better prepared for emergencies by including pets in disaster response planning, expanding access to pet-friendly shelters, and providing families with the resources they need to evacuate safely,” said Rep. Leavitt. “By taking this step, we can prevent unnecessary heartbreak or the safety challenges of individuals who won’t leave if they have no option for their pet, reduce risk for first responders, and strengthen our communities’ resilience in the face of extreme weather and natural disasters. Thank you to the ASPCA for their support and unwavering dedication to animal welfare.”

Last year, the Washington Legislature passed the Extreme Weather Protection Act, also championed by Rep. Leavitt, establishing a grant program to assist with the costs of extreme weather events in the state, including transportation of people and pets to disaster relief shelters, and retrofitting or establishing pet-friendly facilities. H.B. 1201 builds on this commitment by requiring counties and cities in Washington to:

• Include pets in all levels of disaster and extreme weather response planning.
• Create dedicated pet-friendly sheltering sites to give people with pets a safe and comfortable place to evacuate to.
• Provide online guidance from organizations offering emergency pet assistance and advice.

With the passage of H.B. 1201, Washington joins a growing number of states that have enacted policies to enhance disaster response efforts in recent years, including California, Colorado, Florida, and Nevada. In addition to working with lawmakers to increase access to co-sheltering opportunities, the ASPCA deploys nationwide to assist in relocation, search-and-rescue, sheltering and placement of animals during disaster situations like severe weather, wildfires, tornadoes, hurricanes and floods. Since the inception of the ASPCA's disaster response team in 2010, the ASPCA has responded to more than 80 disaster-related requests for assistance, helping over 165,000 animals in crisis.

For more information about the ASPCA, or to join the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade, please visit www.aspca.org.