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Articles: Press Release
Texas Livestock Officials Accommodating Emergency Entry of
Hurricane-Evacuated Livestock
Contact:
Texas Animal Health Commission
Box l2966
Austin, Texas 78711
(800) 550-8242 FAX (512) 719-071
Bob Hillman, DVM • Executive Director
For info, contact Carla Everett, information officer, at 1-800-550-8242,
ext. 710, or ceverett@tahc.state.tx.us
Texas' livestock health officials are working to accommodate the evacuation
of livestock from Louisiana and Mississippi, displaced due to Hurricane
Katrina. The TAHC will allow livestock from these states to enter Texas
without the usually required health documents, provided the owners or
shippers alert the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) prior to crossing
the state line.
Owners and shippers from Louisiana and Mississippi are asked to call the
TAHC 24-hour number at 1-800-550-8242 and provide information regarding the
species, numbers and destination of the animals. A permit number will be
issued to the caller, and TAHC field personnel will follow up to verify the
arrival of the animals and to address any pertinent restriction or test
requirements. As part of its emergency management effort, the TAHC also
maintains a list of facilities, farm or stables, whose owners have
volunteered to provide temporary shelter for livestock. Callers who need a
referral to a site should call the TAHC number and leave a message for the
regulatory veterinarian on call.
Dairy cattle evacuated to Texas without a cattle tuberculosis (TB) test
must be isolated from other cattle and meet entry requirements upon arrival.
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