LDAF Commissioner Mike Strain named to National Advisory Council Subcommittee for FEMA
For immediate release: April 17, 2024
Baton Rouge, La. - The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., has been appointed to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Advisory Council Subcommittee on Planning for Animal Welfare (PAW). This Council will advise the FEMA Administrator on all matters related to emergency management and animal welfare.
“I am very honored by this appointment,” said LDAF Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M. “In Louisiana, we have been focused on creating new policies to help with the protection of animals during an emergency since Hurricane Katrina. Many of the policies that we have put into place have been adopted nationwide. So, we have a great deal of expertise in this field.”
The PAW subcommittee will review best practices and federal guidance on congregate and non-congregate sheltering and evacuation planning relating to animal needs. This includes addressing the needs of household pets, service and assistance animals, and captive animals in emergency and disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.
Members will bring their experience and diversity of views to provide the FEMA Administrator with consensus recommendations. They will determine whether the existing best practices and federal guidance are sufficient and, if not, recommend updates.
“This small group will act as advisors to FEMA on the proper care, transportation, and basic mechanisms to rescue household pets, animals, and livestock during an emergency,” said LDAF Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M. “We have a lot of work to do. But the whole idea is that we will have similar policies everywhere in the United States. Whether it is a hurricane in Louisiana, a fire in Texas, or a tornado in the Midwest, we can all work together with tried-and-true policies to deal with the evacuation, housing, and care for our animal friends.”
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For more information regarding the press release, please contact LDAFCommunications@ldaf.state.la.us .
For interview requests, please contact PressSecretary@ldaf.state.la.us .