TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICESTEXAS DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC)“Because livestock and poultry health matters”

• Role of TAHC• Why plan for animals• Community Planning resources• Important Planning

Considerations

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICESTEXAS DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

TAHC-What we doLead state agency for: Coordination of any animal issues during

disasters Livestock & poultry disease response

Coordinate animal response team of state, federal agencies, and industry partners USDA-VS, USDA-AC, TDA, AgriLife, A&M and

others Industry partners include: TSCRA, ICA, TPF,

TCFA, TAD, TPPA

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICESTEXAS DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

TAHC-What we doCoordinate state-level response to animal-related resource requests Deploy ICS-trained TAHC personnel

& Texas A&M Veterinary Emergency Team

Pet sheltering support (via A&M VET, TDEM, NGO contacts state & national)

Donations, hay & feed w/ AgriLife & TDA

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICESTEXAS DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

TAHC- Why planning is important

PETS Act and HB 88 Definition of household

pets & service animals

Animal issues are people issues

Need to educate all responders

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICESTEXAS DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

TAHC-What communities can do

Develop animal issues committee plans

Locate resources at:http://www.tahc.state.tx.us/emergency/localplanning.html

Link animal responders to emergency management

•Resources – request animal related resources just like anything else!

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICESTEXAS DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

TAHC-What communities can do

CARCASS DISPOSALo Work with TCEQ to

develop disposal plans

o Use Disposal CARP for other considerations when doing disposal

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICESTEXAS DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

TAHC-What communities can do

Issues to be dealt with locally:Displaced animalsDonations managementRe-entry Veterinary medical care

Educate the publicIntegrate local veterinarians

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICESTEXAS DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

TAHC-What communities can do•SHELTER:

Pet friendly vs. animal only sheltersCare of animals while in shelterID of animals returning animals homeRed-Cross shelters and co-located sheltersWork with evacuating communities!!!Use Shelter CARP for more considerations

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICESTEXAS DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

TAHC-What communities can do•Work with local non-profits to help find resources

•Pre-plan to identify & address gaps

Educate public!

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICESTEXAS DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

TAHC•Contact:

Amanda Bernhard, EMCAmanda.bernhard@tahc.state.tx.us

512-719-0792OR

TAHC Regional Director/Supervising InspectorContact information located at:

www.tahc.state.tx.us