Summary
After Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, many people had to leave their pets behind due to evacuation policies and shelters not allowing animals. This led to a new law in 2006, the PETS Act, which encourages including pets in disaster planning. The experiences showed that saving pets can also help save people's lives during disasters.
Key Facts
- During Hurricane Katrina, tens of thousands of pets were left behind because people had to evacuate without them.
- Many shelters and rescue operations wouldn't allow pets, forcing people to leave them.
- In 2006, the U.S. government passed the PETS Act to include pets in disaster planning.
- The change was a response to national shock over the treatment of pets during Katrina.
- Ensuring pets are part of evacuation plans helps both animals and people.
- Many people chose not to evacuate during Katrina because they did not want to leave their pets behind.
- Nearly 1,400 people died in Hurricane Katrina, which is one of the deadliest hurricanes in U.S. history.
- Animal rescue teams helped save many malnourished and sick pets after the storm.
