How Did Authorities Prepare for Rita?
Not only did the federal government declare a “state of emergency” in Texas, which freed up federal funds for disaster response, but the Texas Animal Control Association (TACA) activated its Texas Animals in Disaster (TAD) program to assist people and animal evacuees. Just as important, officials with the Texas department of homeland security allowed evacuees to bring their pets to shelters set up in Austin, Lufkin, College Station, San Antonio and Huntsville, which was able to accommodate at least 250,000 people. Texas authorities hoped to avoid the situation that occurred in New Orleans, where many remained in the strike zone because officials wouldn’t allow residents to bring their pets to shelters or on buses. Additionally, large private animal shelters such as the Houston SPCA, The SPCA of Texas, the Humane Society/SPCA of Bexar County and the Animal Defense League worked in conjunction with the Red Cross, TACA, and Texas Animal Health Commission to provide protection for animals.
