The wildfires across the state of Texas have necessitated assistance of the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) emergency responders in Bastrop and Travis Counties in the south central part of the state, Cass County in Eastern Texas, and Waller County in South East Texas. The TAHC is the lead state agency for livestock-related disaster response and continues to provide assessments of animal needs–including horses–in the affected areas while working closely with local authorities to resolve those needs.

As part of the state’s animal response team, the Texas A&M Veterinary Emergency Team (VET) has a 13-member team working with the local sheriff’s department and animal control officers to triage and stabilize animals being removed from the burned areas in Bastrop County and to provide any necessary veterinary care to the search and rescue canines deployed for service.

According to Russell Iselt, Region 7 supervising inspector, the TAHC has been assisting local livestock officials in escorting producers into affected/restricted areas to help or allow them to feed and water their horses and livestock.

A number of local veterinarians have taken in displaced horses and other animals, and treated injured or burned animal patients. The TAHC and Texas A&M VET, along with Texas Veterinary Medical Association, are working closely to support veterinarians and their needs