The PETSAFE Act modifies federal disaster relief laws to help states, local governments, and tribal nations better prepare for and respond to emergencies involving companion animals. The bill expands what these jurisdictions can purchase with federal emergency preparedness grants to include items like pet crates, mobile sheltering trailers, veterinary supplies, emergency generators, and training for animal response teams. A key change increases the federal funding match for pet-related preparedness activities from 50 percent to 90 percent of project costs, making it significantly easier for communities to afford these programs. The bill applies to existing grant programs under the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act and the Stafford Disaster Relief Act, so no new funding amounts are specified—rather, it redirects how existing disaster preparedness money can be used. This legislation addresses a gap in emergency planning that became apparent after Hurricane Katrina, when many pet owners faced impossible choices about evacuation because shelters and emergency systems did not accommodate animals.
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