On da Hill, in brief

The HSUS reports on two pieces of animal legislation moving in Congress:

• The  Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act of 2006, H.R. 3858, has passed the Senate. We very briefly noted the bill passed by the House, which would have required state recipients of federal emergency preparation funds to make plans to address the needs of people who keep companion and service animals. As the HSUS notes, the Senate version is stronger, in particular allowing FEMA to fund animal-friendly preparedness programs and defining the "essential assistance" the President may order federal agencies to provide in an emergency to include helping households with animals. It will go to conference committee in September....


• Tucked into the huge Pension Protection Act of 2006, H.R. 4, is a provision that would impose more requirements on individuals seeking a charitable deduction for donating taxidermied animals. What else is there to say?

Also on the Hill, S. 2395 (no catchy name) would abrogate postal regulations designed to reduce the number of deaths to baby chicks that are transported through the mail. As In the Defense of Animals and SuperVegan note, defeating the bill is an okay first step, but a ban on shipping chicks would be the best.

The Horse Protection Act, H.R. 503, which would have the effect of banning horse slaughter for human consumption, has passed the House Committee on Agriculture after a hostile hearing, characterized as usual by reasoned, unhysterical arguments. (Hat tip: AAFL.) It should be voted on in September. This has been a long time coming. For more on how not to ban horse slaughter, see the links at our half-year legislative review.

Also on THOMAS: Haley's Act, which would require USDA to include public safety concerns in its regulations under the Animal Welfare Act and prohibit non-zoo exhibitors from allowing direct contact between big cats and members of the public.