Post-Katrina animal evacuation bill passes

The Louisiana legislature has passed a bill, SB 607, which would require state and parish authorities to make plans "for the humane evacuation, transport, and temporary sheltering of service animals and household pets in times of emergency or disaster." (Hat tip: Louisiana Pet Lawyer.) The account from the Best Friends Animal Society details the compromises that went into the amended bill. One unfortunate amendment made the bill effective only if it was paid for [pdf] by a fund administered by the governor. (Naysayers call it a slush fund.) The enrolled text [pdf] of the bill out of conference committee, i.e., the text agreed upon by both houses, does not contain this restriction however, but is effective upon the signature of the governor or the expiration of the veto period.

The bill's pros: it would allow companion animals to be transported on public transportation during an emergency in some circumstances, contra ala NYC, and establish an identification system to reconnect separated human and animal companions. Cons: It is limited to domesticated cats and dogs and other "domesticated animals." (Ah, the definitions game.)

HSUS is tracking several other state efforts, including recent laws in New Hampshire (HB 1435: evacuation of service animals, study re: other animals), Florida (H7121: shelter plans for service and companion animals), and Hawai'i (HB 3121: sheltering companion animals). The Louisiana bill seems by far to be the most comprehensive. The U.S. Senate has not yet taken action on the national companion animal evacuation bill which passed the House nearly a month ago.