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Bill would require local emergency plans to include pet rescue and reunification procedures
Summary
AB 478 would require cities and counties to include pet rescue and reunification procedures in their emergency plans the next time those plans are updated.
Assemblymember Zbur introduced AB 478, which would require that, when local jurisdictions next update their emergency plan, they include procedures for rescuing pets in mandatory evacuation zones, along with online resources for pet evacuation and reunification.
“When disaster strikes, no one should have to choose between their own safety and their pet's survival,” the author said, recounting examples of separated animals and citing the Palisades fire and the case of Oreo, a dog reunited after five days in debris. Nick Sackett, representing Social Compassion in Legislation, said surveys show many people return to evacuated zones to rescue pets and that formal plans would reduce dangerous unauthorized reentries.
Shelter operators and animal control officials raised operational concerns. Karen Lang of the California Animal Welfare Association supported the bill but asked the committee to remove a mandatory 30‑day hold requirement for evacuated animals, saying shelters need flexibility during dynamic emergencies. Lieutenant Julio Delano of the Riverside Sheriff’s Office said similar agricultural‑entry pass programs required significant preplanning and training and warned that unsupervised reentry and waivers signed under duress may not be legally effective.
The author acknowledged the concerns and said the bill was amended to clarify that any reentry is subject to approval by the incident commander and that the committee would continue working with shelters on hold periods. A motion to pass the bill to the appropriate policy committee was recorded; the bill was later moved out of the committee and placed on call pending further review.
Why it matters: Many Californians consider pets family members and reenter evacuation zones to rescue them, sometimes endangering themselves and responders. AB 478 aims to make local response plans account for that reality so rescues are coordinated, safer and respectful of incident command.
Next steps: The committee moved the measure to the next committee (referred in committee record as BNP/appropriate policy committee) and asked the author to continue negotiations with shelters and law enforcement on hold periods and operational guidance.
