Dog’s Reunion Inspires New Pet Safety Law

Quick Smiles:

• Oreo the dog’s touching reunion inspired new legislation.
• The FOUND Act aims to keep pets and people together in disasters.
• Animal advocates hope the law will spark change nationwide.

A moving video of a dog named Oreo being reunited with his owner after the Los Angeles-area wildfires has led to a proposed law helping pets during emergencies.

California Assemblymember Rick Zbur introduced the FOUND Act to ensure no pet is left behind when disaster strikes.

“The FOUND Act is something that embraces what we all understand, how important our pets are and that they are parts of our family,”

Zbur explained that many towns lack procedures for helping people recover pets separated during emergencies, so the new law would require local governments to create specific rescue and reunification plans.

Communities would provide resources like emergency hotlines and safe return access for owners, with support from animal rescue groups or first responders.

“We don’t want people to basically be skirting the roadblocks,”

Zbur said the law, named after Oreo, aims to make reunions like his possible for more families.

Casey Colvin, Oreo’s owner, shared,

“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,”

Animal welfare advocate Judie Mancuso hopes this groundbreaking bill, the first of its kind, will inspire similar actions throughout the country.

“The hope is that other states will follow,”

Mancuso shared, emphasizing that many consider their pets family.

This uplifting story reminds us how powerful compassion and community can be for people and their pets. Stay hopeful for positive change in animal safety everywhere!

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