Bill > AB478

This bill requires cities and counties to update their emergency plans to include specific procedures for pet rescue during evacuations. The bill defines an "evacuation order" as a directive from authorized officials requiring people to relocate due to imminent danger, and "pet" as any household animal. When updating their emergency plans, local governments must designate procedures for rescuing pets that owners believe are alive, establishing safe timelines and conditions for these rescues. The bill requires cities and counties to provide a contact person or entity for pet-related evacuation information and post this information on their websites. Additionally, the bill mandates that pets rescued from evacuation zones cannot be adopted, euthanized, or transferred out of local animal control custody for at least 30 days, to give owners a chance to reunite with their animals. Local animal control agencies can transfer pets to in-state partners during this period, but must maintain records to facilitate reunification. After 30 days, a pet cannot be euthanized if an animal rescue organization has expressed willingness to take custody. The bill stems from observations during recent California fires, where lack of coordinated pet rescue procedures caused challenges for pet owners, and builds upon the federal Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act of 2006.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry, Government Affairs, Military Affairs and Security

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB478