Source: Texas Animal Health Commission
After a disaster, Texans may face the challenge of animal disposal. Please use the following resources to guide you during this recovery phase.
- Animal Carcasses in Pubic Areas (including residential): Animal carcasses found in public areas or rights-of-way should be reported to the local county Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to be handled through the jurisdiction’s debris management plan. You can find your county’s EOC information through the State Operations Center or on your county’s website.
- Carcasses on private property, non-residential areas: Animal owners and operators are responsible for the proper disposal of their animals. To learn about common methods of non-diseased animal carcass disposal visit Disaster-Related Carcass Disposal Guide. or visit the Texas Commission Environmental Quality’s website at www.tceq.texas.gov.
- The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) can provide additional technical assistance and may be able to help with debris removal from waterways. For more information visit www.nrcs.usda.gov.
- If you find a stray animal carcass on your property, contact your local EOC. You can find your county’s EOC information through the State Operations Center or on your county’s website.
Livestock
- Emergency Animal Mortality Management
- Burial of Catastrophic Mortality from Poultry Operations
- Disposal of Livestock Carcasses
- Affidavit for Carcass Burial Disposal – editable word document
- USDA Livestock Indemnity Program
- USDA Service Center Locator – used to locate offices for: NRCS, FSA and local Soil and Water Conservation District
- Anthrax
- Bacteria Runoff BMPs for Intensive Beef Cattle Operations
- Biosecurity for Sheep and Goat Producers ( En Español )
- Burial Methods & Disposal Practices for Plants & Animals
- Cattle escaping fire death may have secondary injuries
- Strategies for Radioactive Decontamination of Livestock
- Disposal of Domestic or Exotic Livestock Carcasses
- Care & Treatment of Livestock After a Hurricane (eBook)
- Cold Weather Livestock Stewardship
- Composting Large Animal Carcasses
- Contaminated Animal & Plant Disposal – Field Guide
- Early Detection of Fire Damage Can Minimize Cattle Losses Due to Fire
- Emergency Planning for Pets & Livestock
- Hurricane Preparedness for Livestock Owners ( Video 1 ) ( Video 2 )
- Sheltering Livestock in Place ( Video 1 ) ( Video 2 )
- Hurricane Preparedness for Livestock (eBook)
- Livestock Emergency Preparedness and Recovery
- Rescue Feeding Cattle & Horses in Affected Areas
- The National Center for Foreign & Zoonotic Disease Defense (FAZD)
- Tending Cattle After the Winter Storm
- Creating an animal issues committee
Horses
- Best Management Practices for Equine Disease Prevention ( En Español )
- Evacuating Horses Video
- Horse Care & Management Tips for Flooded Areas
- Normal Physiological Values for Select Animals
- Procedures for Feeding Rescued Cattle & Horses in Hurricane-Affected Areas
- Understanding Vital Life Signs in Horses ( En Español )
- What Texas Horse Owners Need to Know About Equine Piroplasmosis
Swine
- African Swine Fever
- Biosecurity for Swine Producers
- Checklist: Biosecurity Practices for Swine Shows
Dairy
- Biosecurity Practices for Dairy Operations ( En Español )
- Heat Stress and Mastitis
- Managing Retention Control Structures during Catastrophic Events
Poultry
- Biosecurity for Birds
- Know Your Birds – a video about health and illness in chickens
