To the editor: Final 12 months’s devastating Los Angeles wildfires underscored one thing we’ve lengthy identified on the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: Catastrophe planning for pets is crucial to defending folks. We’re grateful to see California’s leaders stepping up by introducing the Offering Important Short-term Shelter Help for Emergencies (PETSAFE) Act to assist communities higher put together and take care of pets earlier than, throughout and after catastrophe strikes (“Pets wanted assist through the L.A. firestorm. A brand new invoice goals to enhance preparedness,” Feb. 24).
Led by Rep. Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park) and Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), the PETSAFE Act would amend an present federal grant program to assist communities put money into animal-related emergency preparedness. It could enhance the portion of prices lined by the federal authorities from 50% to 90% for pet-related emergency preparedness actions.
Investing in sources, coaching and planning that embody pets in emergency response plans is vital to stopping additional loss and struggling, and we thank Rep. Chu and Sen. Schiff for his or her management on the PETSAFE Act. We urge Congress to go this life-saving invoice to raised defend folks and pets throughout disasters.
Matt Bershadker, New York Metropolis
This author is the president and CEO of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
