Congressional leaders and Pet Industry join forces in support of Pets on Trains Act

Via PR Newswire - The Pets on Trains Act of 2013 would open the doors on Amtrak and permit four-legged companions to join their owners on rail journeys, providing a new mode of transportation for the estimated 29.1 million Americans who have traveled with a pet in the past three years.

"Pets on Trains is a simple, common-sense bill that would save millions of pet owners time and money and allow them to bring beloved companions along when traveling via train," said Congressman Jeff Denham (R-CA). "My French bulldog, Lily, is part of our family and travels with us all the time – we never want to leave her behind."

Congressman Denham, the sponsor of H.R. 2066 – The Pets on Trains Act of 2013, was joined at Union Station's Columbus Plaza by the bill's original co-sponsors Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) and Rep. Michael Grimm (R-NY). Rep. John Campbell (R-CA), also an original co-sponsor.

H.R. 2066 proposes:

• Amtrak must designate a "pet car" on each train that has more than one car 
• Trip cannot be more than 750 miles 
• Pets must be crated 
• Pet kennels are to be stowed as per Amtrak baggage policies 
• Additional fees are required 

A companion bill, S.B. 1710, has been introduced in the Senate by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).

"The pet industry embraces Pets on Trains legislation because we understand the benefits traveling together has to pet owners, as well as the pets themselves," said Mike Canning, president & CEO of the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council. "Legislation like this also brings together two powerhouse industries as economic generators – and will have a positive effect on the economies of cities along the rail route."

Pet owners and advocates can help influence Congress by going directly to http://www.pijac.org/pet-alerts/house-bill-track-allow-pets-trains and following the prompts to contacting their elected representatives on Capitol Hill.

The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC) is comprised of members of the pet industry, nationwide, including pet food and pet supply manufacturers, veterinarians, retailers, pet day care, boarding facilities, and groomers among others.

PIJAC provides its members a voice in state and national legislative issues and has supported pro-pet legislation and regulations for forty years.

With over $183 million donated in the form of food and general supplies, as well as direct monetary aid, the pet industry has helped more than 7.5 million homeless and shelter pets in the last two decades. More information can be found at www.pijac.org.