Latest news with #FriendsofOreoUnitingDuringDisasters
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Man's reunion with dog after LA fires inspires pet protection bill
(NewsNation) — A California lawmaker is introducing a bill aimed at helping save pets left behind during natural disasters. The bill is inspired by the reunion of Casey Colvin and his dog, Oreo, who was found alive in the rubble of the Palisades fire in Los Angeles. Last month, California Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur announced AB 478, also known as the FOUND Act (Friends of Oreo Uniting During Disasters). 40-year-old blind cockatoo has sight restored at NC State If approved, the bill would require local governments to update emergency pet rescue procedures, provide online resources for pet eviction and reunification, and hold rescued pets for at least 90 days before adoption or euthanasia. The act aims to ensure pet owners have procedures and resources available to reunite with their pets during disasters. Additionally, it seeks to prevent pet owners from endangering themselves by attempting unauthorized rescues. 'Pets are more than just property — they are family. When disaster strikes, no one should have to choose between their safety and their pet's survival,' Zbur said in a statement. The inspiration for the act comes in part from Colvin and his beloved Pomeranian, who were separated after Oreo went missing during fires that ravaged their Los Angeles neighborhood. But, after five days, the pair were reunited. RI man makes 'stuffies' for those in need Colvin told 'NewsNation Live' Monday that once the bill is passed in California, it's important to implement bills like this nationwide as so many states are getting hit by natural disasters. 'If you're in a situation where you can't get to your animals, hopefully this legislation will help you get to where you need to go to take care of your animals,' he said. 'Also, if your animals escape during a disaster, they'll help you reunite with them afterwards.' The bill is sponsored by Social Compassion in Legislation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
NBC News
18-03-2025
- General
- NBC News
Viral video of Oreo the dog's L.A. fire reunion inspires lawmaker to help save pets during disasters
LOS ANGELES — A California lawmaker this week introduced legislation inspired by the viral reunion of 'Oreo' the dog and his owner during the Los Angeles fires that aims to help save pets left behind during natural disasters. The proposed law, which has been filed in the California State Assembly but is not yet publicly available for viewing, is called the FOUND (Friends of Oreo Uniting During Disasters) Act. "The FOUND Act is something that embraces what we all understand, how important our pets are and that they are parts of our family," California Assemblymember Rick Zbur, who authored the bill and represents portions of Los Angeles, said in an exclusive interview with NBC News. "This grew out of the circumstances that so many people faced trying to reunite themselves with their pets when they were evacuated throughout Southern California because of the recent wildfires," Zbur said. "One of the things that we realized is that, you know, cities and towns don't really have procedures to help people reunite with their pets." The measure, AB 478, calls for local jurisdictions to include in their emergency plans a process for retrieving animals left behind during mandatory evacuations. It also seeks to have cities establish an emergency rescue hotline to help evacuees get assistance. Zbur said individual counties or cities would determine specifics and could include allowing pet owners to be escorted into an evacuated area by emergency service personnel, or a designated group like a humane society or nonprofit. "We don't want people to basically be skirting the roadblocks," Zbur said. "So if we want to protect human health and safety, we need to provide ways of people reuniting with their pet." Zbur said the law is directly inspired by Casey Colvin and his beloved pomeranian Oreo, whose emotional reunion, captured by NBC News during the Palisades Fire, struck a chord with millions. The viral video revealed the heartbreaking reality for many fire victims separated from their pets during evacuations. "I don't want there to be another person sobbing on the side of the road, begging the police to let them get to their dog," said Colvin, who added that he hopes to testify at the state Capitol next month. "I just want to use this moment, because, you know, 15 minutes is fleeting, that while you have the spotlight to just try to help other people," he said. The bill will now work through the legislative process; if the Assembly approves it, it will move to the Senate. If approved there, it would go to the governor's desk to be signed into law. Judie Mancuso, CEO and president of Social Companion Legislation, the animal rights advocacy group sponsoring the FOUND Act, said the law would be the first of its kind in the country and that the hope is it could be replicated nationwide to save animals not only during fires but other natural disasters like hurricanes. "The hope is that other states will follow," Mancuso said. "We have a lot of animal-loving people across the United States who consider their dogs and cats their family."
