A recent emotional reunion between a dog named Oreo and his owner during the wildfires in the Los Angeles area has led to significant legislative efforts aimed at protecting pets during emergencies. The heartwarming moment, which went viral, highlighted the urgent need for measures to ensure that pet owners are not forced to leave their animals behind when disaster strikes.
In response, California Assemblymember Rick Zbur has introduced the FOUND Act (Friends of Oreo Uniting During Disasters), a proposed law designed to create formal procedures for rescuing and reuniting pets with their owners during natural disasters. Zbur stated, “The FOUND Act is something that embraces what we all understand, how important our pets are and that they are parts of our family.”
Many Californians faced chaos during recent wildfire evacuations, struggling to locate and recover their separated pets. Zbur noted that most cities lack established protocols for pet recovery, which can lead to distressing situations for families. Under the proposed legislation, identified as AB 478, local governments would be required to develop specific plans within their emergency operations to facilitate the rescue and reunion of pets.
Key Provisions of the FOUND Act
The FOUND Act would mandate several critical measures, such as the establishment of emergency hotlines dedicated to pet recovery. It could also allow pet owners to be escorted back into evacuated areas with assistance from animal rescue organizations or first responders, ensuring that safety protocols remain intact while enabling reunions.
Zbur emphasized the importance of allowing pet owners to reunite with their animals safely. “We don’t want people to basically be skirting the roadblocks,” he explained. “So if we want to protect human health and safety, we need to provide ways for people to reunite with their pets.”
The legislation is named after Oreo, a Pomeranian whose tearful reunion with owner Casey Colvin was captured on video during the Palisades Fire. Colvin expressed his hopes to prevent similar heart-wrenching scenarios in the future. “I don’t want there to be another person sobbing on the side of the road, begging the police to let them get to their dog,” he told NBC News. Colvin plans to share his story at the state Capitol next month in an effort to help others facing similar challenges.
A Nationwide Movement for Animal Welfare
Animal welfare advocate Judie Mancuso, CEO of Social Compassion in Legislation, is sponsoring the FOUND Act and believes it could set a precedent for other states. “The hope is that other states will follow,” Mancuso stated. “We have a lot of animal-loving people across the United States who consider their dogs and cats their family.”
The FOUND Act represents a significant step forward in recognizing the bond between humans and their pets, particularly during emergencies. As communities continue to face the threat of natural disasters, ensuring that pets are protected and reunited with their owners will become increasingly vital.
