Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) “Because livestock and poultry health matters” Role of TAHC Why plan for animals Community Planning resources Important.

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