While the usual effort is being made to make sure 'people' are prepared for the 2006 hurricane season, there's a new push to include our animal friends in the planning process.

When Hurricane Charley was bearing down on southwest Florida in 2004, Carol Bartlett stayed in her mobile home rather than leave her pets behind.

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"I think that was why it was never even a thought to go to a shelter," says Carol Bartlett. "They don't take the animals."

A recent poll showed that 49% of Americans feel the same way. So this year, in order to save human lives, there's been a concerted effort to include pets in this season's hurricane plans.

In Miami, PETA recently released a new public service announcement that warns pet owners to take steps now to make sure their animal companions survive a storm.

Also, the House has passed a bill to withhold FEMA grants from state and local governments that don't include pets in their preparedness plans.

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