Press Release

Darby G. Holladay	(301) 734-3265
Jerry Redding	(202) 720-6959

USDA SIGNS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES

WASHINGTON, May 22, 2003–The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announces the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Humane Society of the United States to coordinate disaster preparedness and response efforts for animals.

"This agreement is an opportunity for APHIS to continue its cooperative relationship with HSUS and establish disaster response standards," said Chester A. Gipson, APHIS' deputy administrator for animal care. "Animals are often the forgotten victims in disaster situations, and effective response standards will ensure animals' suffering is quickly minimized."

APHIS and HSUS' partnership will include the exchange of information during a disaster, joint conferences, disaster planning exercises and collaborative work between both groups on projects, operational procedures, equipment and training. The agreement will also promote standards for animal preparedness to the public, businesses, disaster organizations and emergency managers.

APHIS is an action-oriented agency that works with other federal agencies, Congress, states, agricultural and animal interests groups and the general public to protect the health and value of American agriculture and natural resources. APHIS' animal care program enforces the Animal Welfare Act, which establishes minimum standards of humane animal care and treatment for animals used in research or exhibition, sold as pets at the wholesale level or transported in commerce. HSUS is the Nation's largest animal protection organization with over seven million members and constituents.

For further information regarding the Memorandum of Understanding please contact Darby G. Holladay, USDA, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 84, Riverdale, Md. 20737, telephone: (301) 734-3265, e-mail: ace@usda.gov, Web page: http://www.aphis.usda.gov

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