Congressman Vern Buchanan, who represents Florida’s 16th district in the U.S. Congress, has joined with Representatives Brian Mast (R-Fla.), Dina Titus (D-Nev.), and Judy Chu (D-Calif.) to introduce the Providing Essential Temporary Shelter Assistance for Emergencies (PETSAFE) Act. Senator Adam Schiff introduced a companion bill in the Senate.
The PETSAFE Act is designed to improve emergency preparedness for pet owners during disasters such as hurricanes and wildfires. The legislation would expand how existing emergency management grants can be used by state and local governments, allowing them to better plan for animal evacuation, sheltering, veterinary care, training, and specialized rescue equipment.
“For millions of families, pets are part of the family and in disaster-prone states like Florida, families often won’t evacuate if they can’t bring them, putting lives at risk,” said Buchanan. “The PETSAFE Act improves preparedness and removes unnecessary cost barriers, so states and local governments have the flexibility they need to protect animals, families and first responders during hurricanes and other emergencies. As co-chair of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus, I am proud to join Congressman Brian Mast in leading this commonsense, bipartisan effort.”
“When we plan better for animals, we save human lives too,” said Mast. “This bill helps communities prepare smarter, respond faster, and keep families together when disaster strikes.”
“Protecting pets during disasters is not just compassionate, it is responsible. As an original supporter of the bipartisan PETSAFE Act, I am advancing a practical, lifesaving approach that helps families evacuate safely without leaving their furry friends behind,” said Titus.
“When the Eaton Fire tore through my district, so many families were forced into an impossible choice. As a result, many families delayed evacuating because they couldn’t bear to leave their pets behind. Thankfully, local shelters and community members across California stepped up to care for animals of all kinds that had to be relocated out of the fire’s path,” said Chu. “Disasters like these make it clear that emergency planning must also account for the safety and wellbeing of pets. That’s why I’m teaming up with Representative Brian Mast and Senator Adam Schiff to introduce the PETSAFE Act. Our bill would ensure that state and local governments can utilize FEMA grant money to purchase the resources they need to protect animals during disasters,” she added.
“Our pets are part of our families, and when disaster strikes, it’s important that communities have the resources to ensure they aren’t left behind. I’m proud to partner with Representative Brian Mast to reintroduce this legislation which will help us protect our animals during major disasters and emergencies,” said Schiff.
Organizations supporting the legislation include the ASPCA; Florida State Animal Response Coalition; Florida Association of Animal Welfare Organizations; Humane Society of Tampa Bay; Florida Animal Protection and Advocacy Association; Flagler Humane Society; and Humane Society of the Treasure Coast.
“Americans consider their pets to be a part of the family, and many won’t evacuate during an emergency without them. Empowering communities to include animals in emergency response plans is critical to preventing further devastation and helps save the lives of animals, families, and first responders,” said Daniel Leonardini from ASPCA. “We are grateful to Representatives Mast and Titus for introducing the PETSAFE Act to give communities the tools they need to better prepare and care for pets before, during, and after disasters, which will ease the burden on already overwhelmed shelters and ensure taxpayer dollars are used more effectively.”
“Animal shelters in Florida and across the country are constantly operating at capacity regarding animals in their care daily. When disaster strikes a community, animal shelters bear the burden for animal care during disaster response. Our organization provides sheltering services for pets of first responders, those living in mandatory evacuation zones, and stray animals that have been displaced. The PETSAFE Act is critical legislation that will help communities across Florida better prepare, respond, and recover from disasters and ensure that we have the resources needed to care for our beloved companions,” said Frank Valente from Humane Society of the Treasure Coast.
Currently under federal law there are high local cost-share requirements limiting animal preparedness efforts. The PETSAFE Act proposes raising federal support from 50 percent up to 90 percent for eligible activities related to companion-animal preparedness—making comprehensive planning more affordable for communities.
Buchanan has served as a member of Congress since 2007 after previously serving in Florida’s House of Representatives https://www.buchanan.house.gov/about. He was born in Detroit in 1951 but now resides in Sarasota https://www.buchanan.house.gov/about. He graduated from Cleary University with a BA in 1975 before earning another degree from University of Detroit Mercy https://www.buchanan.house.gov/about.
Buchanan’s previous legislative work includes leading efforts on animal welfare such as passing a nationwide ban on animal cruelty signed into law in 2019.
