The emotional reunion between Casey Colvin and his dog Oreo, after the devastating Pacific Palisades fire in January, has inspired new legislation in California. The fire forced Colvin to evacuate, leaving behind his two dogs. Although a fire battalion chief managed to save one dog, Oreo was missing for several days. Eventually, Colvin found Oreo in the driveway of his burned-down home, a moment that went viral and captured widespread attention.
This heartwarming story has led to the proposal of the FOUND Act, which stands for Friends of Oreo Uniting During Disasters. Announced by Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur, the bill aims to help pet owners during emergencies by requiring cities to update their emergency plans. These updates would allow evacuees or their representatives to enter evacuation zones to retrieve pets safely. Additionally, the bill proposes creating a hotline to assist residents in locating missing pets during natural disasters.
Colvin expressed gratitude for the support he received from Social Compassion and their rescue network, which helped him reunite with Oreo. He hopes the FOUND Act will make such reunions more common, stating, “Pets are more than just property—they are family.” The bill is expected to be reviewed by a policy committee soon, with hopes it will set a precedent for similar legislation across the country.
Colvin plans to testify in support of the bill at the state capitol in Sacramento this April. His experience and the viral video have not only highlighted the bond between pets and their owners but also underscored the need for better procedures to ensure pets’ safety during disasters.
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