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Animals in Disasters

Animals play many important roles in our lives, including providing companionship, service, and food. Disasters, both natural and human-induced, can negatively affect animals just as much as people. In Texas, the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) has been tasked by the Governor’s Department of Emergency Management with developing a planning and response system to address livestock and companion animal needs during emergencies. This system, called the Texas State Animal Resource Team (TXSART), is currently being developed via a partnership between the TAHC and the Texas Veterinary Medical Association, with the assistance of a variety of government and private entity partners. At the federal level, the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act was signed into law on October 6, 2006. This law requires state and local disaster plans to include provisions for household pets and service animals in the event of a major disaster or other emergency.

Please refer to the following links for additional information on emergency preparedness in Texas and emergency preparedness information pertaining to animals.

State Resources

• Texas Animal Health Commission Emergency Management Webpage
• Texas Governor’s Division of Emergency Management

Federal Resources

• Federal Emergency Management Agency - Information for Pet Owners
• Federal Emergency Management Agency - Information for Livestock Owners
• Federal Emergency Management Agency - Wildlife in Disasters
• United States Centers for Disease Control - Animals in Disaster Plans and Resources
• United States Department of Agriculture – Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Private Resources

• American Humane Association - Animal Emergency Services
• American Veterinary Medical Association - Disaster Preparedness Website
• American Veterinary Medical Association - Disaster Preparedness Links
• Humane Society of the United States - Disaster Center
• Texas Animal Control Association
• Texas Veterinary Medical Association
• United States Animal Health Association – Committee on Animal Emergency Management

Last Updated: Monday, November 06, 2006

Texas Department of State Health Services - Infectious Disease Control Unit
1100 West 49th Street, Suite T801, Mail Code: 1960 PO BOX 149347 - Austin, TX 78714-9347
(512) 458-7676 - Fax: (512) 458-7616 -

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