A new proposed law, known as the FOUND (Friends of Oreo Uniting During Disasters) Act, has been introduced by a California lawmaker in response to the heartwarming reunion of “Oreo” the dog and his owner during the Los Angeles fires. The legislation, filed in the California State Assembly by Assemblymember Rick Zbur, aims to aid in rescuing pets left behind during natural disasters. Zbur emphasized the importance of pets as family members and the need for procedures to reunite them with their owners during times of crisis.
The bill, referred to as AB 478, requires local jurisdictions to incorporate plans for retrieving animals left behind during mandatory evacuations into their emergency protocols. It also calls for the establishment of an emergency rescue hotline to provide assistance to evacuees. Specific details, such as escorting pet owners into evacuated areas with the help of emergency services or designated groups, would be determined by individual counties or cities.
Inspired by the emotional reunion of Casey Colvin and his pomeranian Oreo, the legislation seeks to prevent similar heartbreaking situations where people are separated from their pets during disasters. Colvin, who hopes to testify in support of the bill at the state Capitol, expressed the desire to use his experience to help others facing similar challenges.
The bill will undergo the legislative process, starting with approval by the Assembly before moving to the Senate. If passed by both chambers, it will be sent to the governor for final approval. Judie Mancuso, CEO of Social Compassion in Legislation, the organization sponsoring the FOUND Act, highlighted the significance of this law in safeguarding animals not only during wildfires but also other natural disasters nationwide. The goal is for other states to follow suit and protect the beloved pets of families across the country.
