This bill aims to enhance public safety and preparedness during emergencies and extreme weather events in Washington by ensuring that accommodations for companion animals are included in local emergency management plans. It establishes a new requirement for political subdivisions to identify coshelters, emergency shelters, cooling centers, and warming centers that can accommodate individuals with companion animals. Specifically, each local comprehensive emergency management plan must identify at least one emergency shelter, cooling center, and warming center that can accommodate companion animals, as well as a coshelter available during emergencies. The bill also mandates that emergency shelters have safety procedures for companion animals and comply with federal disaster assistance policies.

Additionally, the bill requires political subdivisions to provide information on their websites regarding companion animal emergency preparedness, including details on which designated shelters can accommodate pets, guidance for creating evacuation plans, and resources for local organizations that assist with companion animal emergencies. The bill introduces definitions for terms such as "companion animal," "cooling center," "coshelter," "emergency shelter," and "warming center" to clarify the provisions. Overall, the legislation seeks to reduce the risks associated with leaving companion animals behind during evacuations and to promote better emergency planning that includes the needs of pet owners.

Statutes affected:
Substitute Bill: 38.52.070