(1) During an evacuation after a major disaster or an emergency, many pet owners are reluctant to leave their pets and are willing to risk their lives to protect their pets.
(2) Animals are important to their owners and the presence of an animal brings comfort to an owner and may enhance recovery for an owner distressed over injury or damage caused by a major disaster or an emergency.
(3) Significant loss of livestock as a result of a major disaster or an emergency would seriously threaten the economy of Oregon. Therefore, a livestock emergency operations plan will ensure that livestock are provided for during a major disaster or an emergency.
(4) It is essential that the State Department of Agriculture, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management and the Department of Human Services work together to develop emergency operations plans for animals and livestock that provide for animals and livestock during a major disaster or an emergency. [Formerly 401.271; 2021 c.269 §2; 2021 c.539 §54]
Note: The amendments to 401.975 by section 2, chapter 269, Oregon Laws 2021, and section 54, chapter 539, Oregon Laws 2021, become operative July 1, 2022. See section 4, chapter 269, Oregon Laws 2021, and section 155, chapter 539, Oregon Laws 2021. The text that is operative until July 1, 2022, is set forth for the user’s convenience.
The Legislative Assembly finds that:
(1) During an evacuation after a major disaster or an emergency, many pet owners are reluctant to leave their pets and are willing to risk their lives to protect their pets.
(2) Animals are important to their owners and the presence of an animal brings comfort to an owner and may enhance recovery for an owner distressed over injury or damage caused by a major disaster or an emergency.
(3) Significant loss of livestock as a result of a major disaster or an emergency would seriously threaten the economy of Oregon. Therefore, a livestock emergency operations plan will ensure that livestock are provided for during a major disaster or an emergency.
(4) It is essential that the Office of Emergency Management and the State Department of Agriculture work together to develop emergency operations plans for animals and livestock that provide for animals and livestock during a major disaster or an emergency.