A federal law that will require local and state disaster to include provisions for household pets and service animals in the event of a major disaster or emergency in late September was sent to President George Bush for signature. The President was expected to sign the bill.

The U.S. Senate unanimously approved a substitute to House Resolution 3858, the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act, just before adjourning for the August recess. Senate Bill 2548 is more comprehensive than the House measure, including federal financial aid to states to create emergency shelters for people with their animals and other assistance.

H.R. 3858, as originally introduced in the House, was approved by that chamber in May by a vote of 349 to 24.

“The House and Senate have taken an important step in ensuring that Americans will never again be forced to make an impossibly difficult choice: Leave their animal behind while they flee a disaster or take their chance by staying in an disaster stricken area with their pet,” said Wayne Pacelle, president and chief executive officer of “The Humane Society of the United States (Washington), which lobbied for the bill’s speedy approval.

Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, and Vermont have passed state legislation dealing with animal disaster planning and response. Many other states also are considering such legislation.