What is TXSART?

1. What is TXSART? James Steele Conference on Diseases in Nature Transmissible to Man May 11-13, 2007 • Austin Elizabeth Wang Executive Director

2. Overview • Why are animal issues in emergencies important? • How did TXSART originate? • Mission, goals, structure • Summary • Questions… but stop me at any point to ask!

3. Why are Animals Important? • Animal issues are people issues • Owners become very attached to their animals • By preparing, both human and animal life can be protected • Animal issues are big issues • 22.8 million residents in Texas • Nearly 62% of households have at least one pet. That makes about 4.3 million dogs and 4.8 million cats • Animals outnumber humans over 30 to 1 in Texas • Animal issues are business issues • TX is #1 for the number of cattle, sheep, goats, and exotic hoofstock • 1 million horses represent about 11% of all horses in the US • 14 million head of cattle Photo courtesy of TAHC Photo courtesy of Texas A&M/B. Scott

4. A Need Identified… • A hotwash of Hurricane Rita response efforts provided evidence that a coordinating entity was needed • Many organizations involved • Duplicative and/or competing efforts • Communication from state to county and regional levels Photos courtesy of FEMA

5. TXSART is Born • TXSART is the Texas State Animal Resource Team • Formed in February 2006 modeling the best efforts of other states’ programs • Housed within the Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation, a non-profit organization • A non-profit identity allows TXSART to better serve the state • Ability to solicit and receive donations (resources and money)

6. Mission Empower Texans to protect public and economic health by providing education and statewide coordination of resources to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters affecting animals and agriculture. Photo courtesy of UAN EARS Photo courtesy of FEMA Photo courtesy of A. Barnes

7. Goals • Promote the active engagement of each jurisdiction’s EMC • Support the development of animal issues committees (AICs) and functional animal issues plans/annexes • Promote the establishment of Community Animal Response Teams (CARTs) as a functional response group within each jurisdiction or region

8. Goals • Provide training opportunities for all TXSART and interested animal and agricultural personnel • Identify state/local resources available for an emergency/disaster

9. Goals • Work to comply with the state emergency management system, National Incident Management System (NIMS), and National Response Plan (NRP) • Work with national partners and other states to address common goals of animal and agricultural emergency management programs in the United States

10. Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation Board of Trustees TXSART Board of Directors All voting except Executive Director Executive Director and Support Staff Advisory Council All voting except Executive Director Regional CART Areas Incident Management Team Local CARTs Organizational Structure

11. Working Group Meeting Participants • Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation • Texas Veterinary Medical Association • Texas Animal Health Commission • Governor’s Division of Emergency Management • USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services • USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service • Texas A&M University System including College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and Texas Cooperative Extension • The Humane Society of the United States • The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals • SPCA of Texas • American Red Cross • Garner Environmental Services, Inc. • Texas State Guard Medical Rangers • Texas Animal Shelter Coalition • Texas Animal Control Association • Texas Federation of Humane Societies • Pets America • Texas Association of Dairymen • Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) • Texas Poultry Federation • Texas Department of Agriculture • Houston SPCA • Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services • Harris County Veterinary Medical Association • Texas Society for Biomedical Research

12. 2007 Objectives • Hold Summit in January • Install BOD and Advisory Council – applications being submitted now • Launch Web site, www.txsart.org – in development • Enact Bylaws and Strategic Plan • Acquire initial response equipment • Continue committee work and regular meetings • Offer additional training opportunities • Plan for 2008 Summit! – in process with Dallas and San Antonio

13. Summary • TXSART created by TVMF in Feb 2006 after Rita hotwash reveals coordination needed for animal disaster issues • Currently 25+ organizations participating at Working Group meetings • Goals include promoting AIC and CART development, promoting disaster preparedness for animal issues at the personal, county, regional, and state levels, and working with national partners and other states to advance common goals of animal and agricultural emergency management programs • Organizational structure: TVMF Trustees, TXSART BOD, Adv Council, and ED • Objectives and “Liz’s desk” includes: Web site launch, enact Strategic Plan, install BOD and Advisory Council, plan for trainings…

14. Contact Information Elizabeth A. Wang c/o Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation 8104 Exchange Drive Austin, Texas 78754 Phone 512/452.4224 Fax 512/452.6633 ewang@tvma.org

15. Questions?