DEVELOPING AN ANIMAL ISSUES COMMITTEE FOR LOCAL JURISDICTIONS

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1 DEVELOPING AN ANIMAL ISSUES COMMITTEE FOR LOCAL JURISDICTIONS Texas Emergency Management Conference 2017

2 Walker County Animal Issues Committee Butch Davis, EMC Sherri Pegoda, Deputy EMC

3 Why did Walker County form an Animal Issues Committee?

4 Walker County HURRICANE RITA 2005

5 2005 Hurricane Season 28 named storms 4 major storms impacted the United States 3 Category 5 storms November 30, 2005 ended hurricane season Hurricanes continued into 2006

6 Jack Colley, Chief of Governor s Division of Emergency Management» During pre-evacuation conference calls all Shelter Hubs were advised that evacuees were allowed to bring their pets.» Shelter Hubs were tasked with housing and caring for the pets.

7 Hurricane Rita Sheltering 23 Shelters were opened 7200 evacuees were in those shelters Total approximately 15,000 evacuees Approximately 150,000 motorists on I-45 from South County Line to North County Line Fuel shortage Walker County was supported by State of Texas and FEMA

8 Huntsville, Texas September 2005

9 Hurricane Rita Evacuation Hurricane Rita Evacuation

10 Hurricane Rita Evacuation

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12 Many people arrived in Walker County with their pets and some livestock. A spontaneous animal shelter was organized at the Walker County Fairgrounds. Later developments included the opening of a shelter for evacuees at the fairgrounds.

13 Issues Experienced No pens, cages, pet food, pet litter, feed, water bowls, leashes, water hoses No paperwork or documentation Lack of volunteers to operate the makeshift animal shelter Flea infestation

14 Goat pens were converted to dog kennels The Walker County Fairgrounds Committeeman s Room was adapted into a small animal shelter

15 Make shift paperwork during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita

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17 Animals Housed during Rita: 27 Large Animals 377 Small Animals 404 TOTAL We learned the importance of a formal record keeping system with this incident. Our numbers above reflect only the animals which were placed on the official count following the first set of releases to owners.

18 Planning meetings began: Planning committee consisted of: Walker County OEM Texas AgriLife Extension Texas Animal Health Commission Rita B. Huff Humane Society Sam Houston State University Agriculture Dept. Huntsville Independent School District Ag Dept.

19 Planning meetings continued: A series of meetings were held to develop and research a plan Discussions focused on identification of needs & resources Local committee was divided into two working groups to focus on Large Animals and Small Animals

20 Planning meetings continued: An official chain of command was established Working Groups are overseen by the Animal Issues Operations Team Each Working Group consists of a Co- Chair, Facility Team Leader, Feed Team Leader, Medical Team Leader, Registration Team Leader and a Transportation Team Leader

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22 Team Discussions Paperwork & documentation issues were discussed in-depth Communications issues discussed Committee work and research led to development and implementation of the Animal Issues Committee Plan Numerous meetings held by both Large & Small Animal Working Groups to discuss specific needs and issues. Planning was laid in place to address a variety of natural disasters as well as manmade incidents.

23 Implementation: Appendix 4 to Annex N ANIMAL ISSUES COMMITTEE PLAN Walker County Cities of New Waverly and Riverside

24 Implementation continued: Walker Co Animal Issues Plan was approved by the Governors Office of Emergency Management Additional Committee meetings held to discuss items of interest Our committee membership continued to grow with numerous volunteers signing up to assist with various teams and response efforts The Animal Issues Team functions in the Incident Command System

25 Volunteers: Local humane society CERT COP (security) Local veterinarians SPCA Local Agriculture classes

26 Donations: Pet stores Hardware stores Feed stores Private citizens

27 REIMBURSEMENT Stafford Act: Federal (FEMA) Reimbursement for Pets Pet Evacuation and Transportation Standard Act Signed by President George W. Bush October 2006 Result of Hurricane Katrina 2005 These acts do not cover livestock (large animals) Livestock expenses are covered by the sheltering jurisdiction.

28 Exercises and Plan Evaluation: The Animal Issues Committee has participated in several exercises ranging from a late Spring Regional Table Top exercise to the State-Wide Hurricane exercise held in early Summer 06, a full scales exercise early June 06 and a TEEX WMD Exercise 07 At each exercise we learned more about emergency response needs and how to improve our efforts Currently meeting monthly as an entire group/committee to discuss current situation and continue planning efforts

29 Constructing small animal pens from cattle panels

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33 Animal Issues Committee in the operations section of the Walker County EOC

34 Animal Issues Response: Walker County Animal Issues Committee 001

35 Animal Issues Response: Flooding 2006

36 Hurricane Gustav Sept Animals Housed 2 Large 48 Small

37 Hurricane Ike September 2008

38 Hurricane Ike 296 Animals Housed 69 Large Animals 227 Small Animals Some of the small animals were housed for 3 months following this storm due to owner s displacement

39 Wildland Fires Horses Rescued Numerous small animals housed Both Large and Small animal teams were activated

40 Retirement Home Fire October 2014 Town Creek Retirement Home 5 Dogs 1 Cat

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42 Memorial Day Flood 2015

43 Technical Large Animal Rescue Training (TLAR)

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45 National Animals in Disaster Conference

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47 COMMITTEE ENGAGEMENT Regular Meetings Exercises State Hurricane Exercise June 2017 ETN Update Plan

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49 Butch Davis EMC 344 SH 75 N, Suite 200 Huntsville, TX (office) (cell) Sherri Pegoda Deputy EMC 344 SH 75 N, Suite 200 Huntsville, TX (office) (cell) walker.tx.us