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S 4558

PETSAFE Act

119th Congress Introduced by Adam Schiff and 1 co-sponsor

The PETSAFE Act would expand federal grant funding to cover comprehensive companion animal preparedness, including shelters, transport, care, and response during disasters.

Introduced in Senate
0
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Bill Summary · S 4558

Summary of S.4558 (119th Congress) – PETSAFE Act

Purpose and intent

  • The PETSAFE Act aims to improve emergency preparedness and response for companion animals (pets) by amending two major federal statutes: the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 and the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.
  • Primary goal: ensure that emergency planning, funding, and sheltering considerations explicitly address the needs of companion animals during major disasters and emergencies.

Key provisions and changes

1) Amendments to the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 (42 U.S.C. § 762 and related sections)
- Revisions to grant funding supplementation:
- Section 662(c) currently provides funding-related percentages. The bill:
- Retains the existing 50 percent level for certain activities but adds a new option:
- 50 percent; or
- 90 percent for activities described in new subsection (f).
- Creation of new subsection (f) – PET AND ANIMAL PREPAREDNESS:
- States, counties, local governments, or tribal governments can use grant funds to perform emergency preparedness activities that support companion animals.
- Eligible expenditures include (but are not limited to):
- Collapsible crates for animals
- Companion animal mobile equipment trailers
- Pet supplies
- Veterinary medical and animal health care supplies
- Emergency sheltering equipment and supplies
- Emergency generators
- Disaster response software
- Emergency management and response training
- Animal response team development
- Field rescue equipment and supplies

2) Amendments to the Stafford Act (42 U.S.C. § 5196b et al.)
- Preparedness planning enhancements (Stafford Act § 613):
- In the subsection addressing needs of individuals with disabilities, the bill adds explicit consideration for animals:
- Adds a new emphasis on the needs of animal shelters that provide housing and care for homeless, lost, or unwanted companion animals before, during, and after major disasters or emergencies.
- Replaces the existing structure to ensure animal sheltering needs are integrated into preparedness planning.
- Renames subsequent subsection designations (the second subsection designated is moved/reindexed).

Who would be affected

  • State, local, tribal governments, and territories that participate in federal preparedness grants under the Post-Katrina Act.
  • Emergency management agencies and responders who plan for and deploy resources for companion animals.
  • Animal shelters and organizations involved in pet housing and care during disasters.
  • Communities reliant on federal preparedness funding, which would now include broader animal-related expenditures and planning.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced in the Senate on May 18, 2026 by Senators Schiff and Tillis, with both acting as sponsors.
  • The bill was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs for consideration.
  • No final passage date is specified in the text provided; the bill follows the standard legislative process with committee review, potential amendments, and floor consideration.

Practical impact and considerations

  • Financial: Expands eligible uses of grant funds to cover a wide range of animal-related preparedness costs, and it explicitly allows for higher cost coverage (up to 90 percent) for activities described in the new subsection (f).
  • Operational: Encourages the integration of companion animal needs into emergency plans, including shelters, transport, care, and response capabilities.
  • Human/community relevance: Supports pet owners’ ability to evacuate with their animals and improves the resilience of communities by ensuring animals are considered in disaster response.

Overall, the PETSAFE Act seeks to institutionalize and fund comprehensive companion animal preparedness within federal emergency management frameworks, elevating the status of animal welfare in disaster planning and response.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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