Full Statute Name:  West's Revised Code of Washington Annotated. Title 38. Militia and Military Affairs. Chapter 38.52. Emergency Management. 38.52.0001. Cosheltering companion animals--Provision of information on website--Definitions [Tentative classification and name line supplied by publisher]

Share |
Primary Citation:  West's RCWA 38.52.0001 Country of Origin:  United States Last Checked:  June, 2025 Alternate Citation:  WA ST 38.52.0001 Date Adopted:  2025 Historical: 
Summary: This 2025 Washington law states that every political subdivision shall, to the extent practicable based on available resources and site-specific circumstances, address cosheltering for emergency shelters in each update of its local comprehensive emergency management plan required by RCW 38.52.070. “Companion animal” means a domesticated animal, such as a dog or cat, that is commonly kept in the home for pleasure rather than for commercial purposes. “Coshelter” means a temporary shelter that allows an individual to stay in an adjacent area or the same facility as a companion animal.

(1) A political subdivision, under existing plan structures, shall, to the extent practicable based on available resources and site-specific circumstances, address cosheltering for emergency shelters in each update of its local comprehensive emergency management plan required by RCW 38.52.070.

(2) A political subdivision, under existing plan structures, shall, to the extent practicable based on available resources and site-specific circumstances, identify emergency shelters able to accommodate persons with companion animals.

(3) Whenever a political subdivision identifies any number of emergency shelters in response to a natural disaster or extreme weather event, it should, to the extent practicable, identify at least one coshelter.

(4) An emergency shelter that is identified to accommodate persons with companion animals must have safety procedures regarding the sheltering of companion animals and comply with disaster assistance policies and procedures published by the federal emergency management agency.

(5) A political subdivision shall provide companion animal emergency preparedness information on its website, including:

(a) To the extent practicable, whether each identified emergency shelter can accommodate companion animals;

(b) Information for creating a companion animal evacuation plan and emergency checklist, consistent with the federal emergency management agency recommendations; and

(c) Identification of local organizations that provide emergency companion animal assistance.

(6) The following definitions apply to this section:

(a) “Companion animal” means a domesticated animal, such as a dog or cat, that is commonly kept in the home for pleasure rather than for commercial purposes;

(b) “Coshelter” means a temporary shelter that allows an individual to stay in an adjacent area or the same facility as a companion animal;

(c) “Emergency shelter” means a temporary location that provides basic shelter for individuals affected by an emergency or disaster; and

(d) “Existing plan structure” means planning documents describing how political subdivisions, in collaboration with nonprofit organizations, and state and federal government, will provide emergency shelter and temporary housing to individuals displaced by a disaster.

Credits
[2025 c 80 § 2, eff. July 27, 2025.]
Share |