Bill > SR0003

This resolution, a formal expression of opinion by the Utah Senate, encourages local governments across Utah to update their disaster emergency plans to specifically include provisions for the sheltering and care of household pets during emergencies. Recognizing that a significant portion of Utah households own pets and that the presence of pets can be a major factor in people's decisions to evacuate, the Senate emphasizes the importance of these plans to ensure safe and efficient evacuations, prevent animal abandonment, and reduce public safety risks. The resolution also promotes collaboration between local governments and various organizations, such as emergency management agencies, animal welfare groups, and public health departments, to establish adequate standards for pet sheltering and care during disasters, referencing the federal Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act of 2006 (PETS Act) which encourages such planning and even allows for federal funding for communities that accommodate pets in disaster shelters.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/SR0003.html