Preparing your livestock for disaster
Every year, Texans face natural disasters that often force them to evacuate at a moment’s notice. Being a horse or livestock owner living along the Texas Gulf coast, can be a challenge when not only are you responsible for evacuating yourself, but also your animals. Here are a few tips on how to safely execute an evacuation of your livestock when the time comes.

Decide whether or not you will evacuate or shelter in place
If you decide to evacuate:

Plan on leaving at least 72 hours before a disaster strikes. The last thing you want to do is be stuck in traffic with horses/cattle in tow.

Locate potential housing facilities for your livestock ahead of time.

Have safe and reliable transportation available for your animals.
Post up copies of an emergency evacuation plan throughout your barn and home entrances in case emergency responders need to be called.

If you decide to shelter in place:

Decide whether or not your will leave your animals inside or out in a pasture of one acre or more, free from debris, power lines, and barbed wire.

In severe weather conditions involving high winds, it is best to keep animals outside.

Keep a minimum of 1-2 week’s supply of fuel for a generator.

Make a Livestock and Equine Disaster Kit

Have a kit ready to go ahead of time in a water proof container. Here are some things you might want to consider when making your kit:

One-week supply of grain and hay
One-week supply of water in a plastic tank (i.e -garbage can)
Batteries along with a flashlight and radio
Blankets
Copies of vet records and pictures of you with you animal to show proof of ownership
Insect repellent
First aid kit
Duct tape
Rope or lariat
Shovel
Wire cutters
Leg wraps
Maps of the area to find alternate evacuation routes
Detailed instructions of feeding routines and medication schedules
Heavy leather gloves
Hoof knife, nippers, pick, and rasp
Trash bags
Wire cutters
Sharp all-purpose knife
Leather or cotton halters and leads
Plastic trash cans with lids for storing feed and hay
Non-breakable water and feed buckets
Tarpaulins
Twitch or nose lead
Paper Towels

The disaster is over, what’s next?
It is important to stay inside your home after a disaster until you are informed by authorities that it is safe to go out. Downed power lines and debris can often injure people and animals so it is important to keep your animals confined to a smaller pasture until you have checked all fences and shelter areas. This will also allow the animals to get reacquainted to their surroundings and give you time to make any repairs or clean-up damage caused by the storm.

The Houston SPCA, founded in 1924, is Houston's first and largest private, non-profit animal protection organization and shelter. The HSPCA receives no funding from the government, United Way, or national animal protection organizations. 900 Portway Dr * Houston, Tx 77024 * 713-869-SPCA
Our Mission: To promote commitment to and respect for all animals and to free them from suffering, abuse and exploitation.