Before Hurricane Rita passed through Texas, agricultural-related agencies and associations teamed up in support of the Division of Emergency Management to address animal and livestock rescue, and recovery and disposal of carcasses.

“In preparation for Hurricane Rita, hundreds of sites, such as livestock markets, arenas, fairgrounds, kennels, individuals, and veterinarians, sheltered evacuated pets and livestock,” said Dr. Dee Ellis, assistant executive director with the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC). “Information on sites is provided by the Texas Animal Health Commission at 800550-8242, and the full list is on the agency’s web site at www.tahc.state.tx.us. Now we and our partnering agencies and associations are focusing on animal rescue and recovery in damaged and flooded areas.

“Representatives from more than a dozen agricultural-related agencies and animal humane organizations are working cooperatively in the TAHC headquarters in Austin, and each has particular authority, responsibility, or expertise,” Ellis said. “By teaming up, Texas can provide consistent, comprehensive assistance, whether it is damage assessment of animal-related facilities, animal rescue, carcass disposal, or treatment. All efforts are coordinated with the State Operations Center and local governments.”

Ellis said the partnering groups include the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Veterinary Services, Animal Care and Farm Service Agency, and Texas’ Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, Parks and Wildlife Department, and Commission on Environmental Quality, Department of State Health Services (Zoonosis Control), as well as the Texas Federation of Humane Societies and American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. He said Texas Animal Control officers, the Texas Veterinary Medical Association and contacts in Louisiana and Arkansas also are team partners