Assemblymember Deborah J. Glick, 66th Assembly District Manhattan announced today the unanimous Assembly passage of legislation that would protect our animals from life-threatening situations in times of disaster and cruelty. The bill, A.9786, would allow out-of-state licensed veterinarians and veterinary technicians to help New York State licensed veterinarians execute an emergency cruelty or disaster response operation.

The bill, the Veterinary Emergency Response and Mobility Act of 2014, would allow specially-trained out-of-state licensed veterinarians and veterinary technicians to assist New York State licensed veterinarians respond to the unspeakable conditions of animal fighting rings, puppy mills, large scale animal hoarding situations, and other animal cruelty cases. This legislation also allows out-of-state veterinarians and veterinary technicians, in cooperation with New York State licensed veterinarians to respond to natural disasters such as hurricanes and floods, and other disasters.

“In- and out-of-state veterinarians and veterinary technicians, working alongside other rescue workers will better ensure that nobody – human or animal – is lost when disasters like Hurricane Irene or Superstorm Sandy strike our state,” emphasized Glick.