Natural Disaster: Animal Preparation and Response
Natural disasters affect animals as much as they do their human counterparts. The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) works with local, state, federal, non-governmental, and sector partners to help plan for, respond to, and recover from natural disasters that affect livestock and companion and service animals.
In order to ensure a Whole Community approach to all-hazards disaster response, the TAHC encourages individuals, local jurisdictions, and other disaster response partners to prepare for handling animal issues in a natural disaster (i.e. fires, floods, extreme weather, and hurricanes) through proactive preparedness.
Animal Owners
Whether you own livestock, a companion/pet animal, or have a service animal, your animals should be included in planning for an emergency. Individuals are encouraged to:
- Make a family emergency plan that includes your animals: Texas Ready - How to Make a Plan
- Build a Go-Kit for emergency relocation and evacuation: Livestock animals and Companion animals
- Stay aware! Follow your local emergency management, news and weather channels, and other relevant information forums
Local, State, and Federal Response Partners
The TAHC is the lead state agency for coordinating animal issues response in disasters. Please visit the TAHC Response Partner webpage for resources, guidance, and tools to assist your agency or organization plan for and respond to natural disasters.
Flooding
Tropical storms, hurricanes, and thunderstorms can cause flooding with little or no warning. Severe weather has the potential to cause catastrophic loss of life and property, financial, and environment damage to local communities. Animals may be displaced and need temporary sheltering, housing feeding, and care. They may also be injured or diseased and need veterinary attention. Prepare now to protect your livestock and pets during flooding.
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Flooding Maps
- USGS Texas Water Levels
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Road Conditions
- Texas Highway Conditions
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Hurricane Maps
- National Hurricane Center
Tornadoes
Tornadoes can occur anywhere with little or no warning. Severe weather has the potential to cause catastrophic loss of life and property, financial, and environment damage to local communities. Animals may be displaced and need temporary sheltering, housing feeding, and care. They may also be injured or diseased and need veterinary attention. Prepare now to protect your livestock and pets during severe weather.
Winter Storms
Winter storms and cold weather can impact animal health as well as human health. Winter storms can be stressful to livestock. Wind chills and prolonged cold increases their need for shelter, food and water. Prepare now to protect your livestock and pets during winter storms.
Extreme Heat
The Texas summers can get hot and with proper preparation your animals can keep cool and hydrated during the summer months.
Wildfires
Wildfires affect America’s farms and ranches, damaging and destroying homes, barns, agriculture production facilities, and livestock. Much of this damage can be minimized, if a few precautions are taken to minimize the risk and spread of wildfires.Prepare now to protect your livestock and pets during a wildfire.
