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613 <br />Eligible Costs Related to Pet Evacuations and Sheltering <br />® FEMA Disaster Assistance Policy 9523.19 <br />I. TITLE: Eligible Costs Related to Pet Evacuations and Sheltering <br />11. DATE: October 24, 2007 <br />III. PURPOSE: <br />The purpose of this policy is to identify the expenses related to State and local <br />governments' emergency pet evacuation and sheltering activities that may be eligible for <br />reimbursement following a major disaster or emergency declaration. <br />IV. SCOPE AND AUDIENCE: <br />This policy is applicable to all major disasters and emergencies declared on or after its <br />date of issuance. It is intended to be used by FEMA personnel involved in making <br />eligibility determinations under the Public Assistance Program. <br />V. AUTHORITY: <br />Sections 403 and 502 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance <br />® Act (Stafford Act), 42 U.S.C. 5170b, 42 U.S.C. 5192; the Pets Evacuation and <br />Transportation Standards Act (PETS Act) of 2006, P.L. No. 109 -308, § 4, 120 Stat. 1725 <br />(2006); and 44 CFR §§ 206.223(a), 206.225(a). <br />VI. BACKGROUND: <br />On October 6, 2006, the PETS Act was signed into law, amending Section 403 of the <br />Stafford Act. Section 403, as amended by the PETS Act, authorizes FEMA to provide <br />rescue, care, shelter, and essential needs for individuals with household pets and service <br />animals, and to the household pets and animals themselves following a major disaster or <br />emergency. <br />VII. POLICY: <br />A. Definitions: <br />1. Household Pet. A domesticated animal, such as a dog, cat, bird, rabbit, <br />rodent, or turtle that is traditionally kept in the home for pleasure rather <br />than for commercial purposes, can travel in commercial carriers, and be <br />housed in temporary facilities: I- Iousehold pets do not include reptiles <br />(except turtles), amphibians, fish, insects /arachnids, farm animals <br />(including horses), and animals kept for racing purposes. <br />2. Service Animal. Any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually <br />is trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability including, <br />but not limited to, guiding individuals with impaired vision, alerting <br />individuals with impaired hearing to intruders or sounds, providing <br />