Senate Passes Bill to Protect Animals in Case of Disasters

by Liz Taurasi 

The Massachusetts Senate passed a bill Thursday which, if approved, would require cities and towns to have emergency evacuation and shelter plans in place for households with pets.

The Boston Globe reported Fridaymorning that the proposal would “mandate that all emergency evacuation plans include measures to care for pets and service animals.”

Sen. Karen Spilka, who sponsored the bill, told the Globe one of the reasons for the bill is because many pet owners are reluctant to abandon their pets when there is an emergency situation which puts them and first responders at risk.

The bill now heads to the State House.