Make Sure Animals Are Included in British Columbia’s Emergency Management
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We are pleased to share the information below from the BC SPCA about tabled legislation that would include animals in risk assessments, emergency management and evacuation plans. The BC Government is giving British Columbians the opportunity to provide input for new regulations to implement in the proposed Emergency Management and Disaster Act by the end of the year. If you live in BC, the BC SPCA has set up a pre-written letter that you can modify along with a request that you try to incorporate a personal story. It only takes a moment.
Four years ago, over 23,000 British Columbians joined the BC SPCA as we called on the provincial government to include companion animals, animals in captivity and all farmed animals in new emergency management legislation. And they listened!
The Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness recently tabled Bill 31 – 2023, the Emergency and Disaster Management Act, to modernize British Columbia’s approach to mitigating hazards and preparing for, responding to and recovering from emergencies. As we requested, the proposed legislation mandates that local governments include animals in risk assessments, emergency management and evacuation plans.
The B.C. government is once again giving British Columbians the opportunity to provide input by the end of the year for new regulations to implement the proposed Emergency Management and Disaster Act.
Please add your voice to show your support for including all animals in emergency management, ensuring that animal welfare organizations can help in times of crisis, and to share your personal experience to help improve all phases of emergency management.
We’ll consolidate the input we receive by December 15, 2023 and send it to the province. Sharing your own story will have a greater impact!
From BC SPCA email correspondence sent Nov. 1, 2023.
