Lucy’s Law

Hurricane Florence 2018 was an unpredictable storm, leaving major flooding to the majority of North Carolina.

Many residents evacuated and left pets behind, not knowing that their area & homes would endure major flooding. When flooding started many pet owners scrambled to get rescue help for their animals they left behind or find a shelter that would take their pets. Because of the shelters being flooded also many residents had no where to go with their pets.

The residents that didn’t evacuate and stayed behind with their animals, then needed rescue once flooding began. When rescuers arrived many were told they couldn’t bring their animals during the emergency rescue and they would be back for them. Many animals have perished because of this or are now separated from their owners.

The PETS law enacted in 2006 “was recommended that DHS require State and local governments, to develop, implement, and exercise emergency response plans and to be integrated with all Federal evacuation activities, before State and local governments are able to receive DHS-funded grants.”

The PETS law does not require hotels/motels to accept animals during a mandatory evacuation. Only allowing the norm of “service” animals to be protected.

North Carolina has felt a huge impact regarding pet rescue because of the shortage of many provisions under this law. NC Emergency operations plan states as follows:

“Under some conditions, there could be a shortage of equipment, trained personnel, or even the loss of sheltering resources. Emergency personnel may be in contact with panic-stricken pet owners, people concerned about the welfare of animals, and those who do not prioritize emergency care support for animals. It will be necessary for emergency responders to develop and maintain communication capability with disparate people and organizations.”

Once flooding started and people had to be emergency rescued many were told they couldn’t bring their animals. Many pet owners did not prepared efficiently and thus cause many search and rescue teams to risk their lives. However, the caveat to that, is since hotel and motels do not have to accept pets during a mandated evacuation many of these families had no other choose but to stay. Also, many NC shelters did not take animals, as there was limited space, so the animals would either be separated from their owners and placed in a specific pet evacuation shelter or the owner would have to look for other emergency shelter allow them to be with their animals. Not to mention, a lot of shelters were at maximum capacity.

The current PETS law does not protect all animals. It seemingly protects FEMA, counties and search and rescue teams. The lives of those who rescue do matter. The lives of animals also matter, and should be noted that unless we “enforce” laws protecting animals during an emergency then we continue to have animals
displaced, separated and left behind to perish.

The federal Government needs to enforce a law in two steps-owner responsibility & state and county provisions.

Animals cannot speak for themselves, so we need to.