View disaster preparedness and recovery resources for livestock, beef cattle, horses, sheep, goats, dairy, swine and more.
Animal Disposal
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 at http://www.tdms.org/county.aspx or 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 at http://www.tdms.org/county.aspx.
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
- Strategies for Radioactive Decontamination of Livestock (Webinar & Power Point)
- 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
View more Disaster Information organized by the type of disaster
