Animal Emergency Planning Act of 2015

Animal Emergency Planning Act of 2015

This bill amends the Animal Welfare Act to require research facilities, dealers, exhibitors, intermediate handlers, and carriers (covered persons) to develop, document, and follow a contingency plan to provide for the humane handling, treatment, transportation, housing, and care of their animals in the event of an emergency or disaster.

The plan must:

• identify situations that the covered person might experience that would trigger the need to implement the measures identified in the plan;
• outline tasks to be carried out in response to emergencies or disasters;
• establish a chain of command and identify the individuals responsible for fulfilling the tasks; and
• address how response and recovery will be handled in terms of materials, resources, and training needed.

Covered persons must review their plan at least annually, train personnel in their roles and responsibilities as outlined in the plan, and provide training when the plan changes.

The bill does not preempt state law that provides equal or greater protection for animals.