Oregon’s pets, service animals, and farm animals will now be included in state disaster plans. Governor Ted Kulongoski signed the bill into law on May 7.

The “Animals in Disaster” legislation (S.B. 570) passed the state House 53-5 in favor and the state Senate 25-3. The new law requires the Oregon Office of Emergency Management to prepare a written emergency plan that provides for the evacuation, transport and temporary sheltering of companion animals, service animals, and farm animals during a major disaster or an emergency.

“We are grateful to Oregon lawmakers for recognizing that pets are part of the family and working to keep people and pets together in emergencies,” said Randy Covey, director of disaster services for The Humane Society of the United States, and a former Oregonian. “With Oregon’s new law, we hope no animal will be left behind when disaster strikes