The ASPCA is pleading with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to continue enforcing its Animal Welfare Act (AWA) Contingency Regulation which moves to protect animals during disasters.
Introduced in January 2013, the regulation requires all facilities licensed under the federal Animal Welfare Act - including breeders, zoos, research facilities, dealers and other exhibitors and intermediate handlers - to prepare emergency plans for protecting and caring for animals during disasters.
Effective 31 July 2013, the USDA announced "a stay of the Contingency plan regulation in order to give the agency additional time to determine the best course of action. The stay will remain in place until the best course of action is determined and will apply to all regulated entities."
With hurricane season underway and Katrina and Sandy still fresh on the minds of many Americans, the ASPCA insists preparedness should top the agendas of animal caretakers and policy makers.
The ASPCA has issued and Action Alert and urges concerned citizens and organizations to contact USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. A drafted response to the USDA is available on the ASPCA website.
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