Part of Central East Texas has a new emergency plan in place that now includes an emergency animal shelter for pet owners and their animals in case they ever have to evacuate. Angelina County Emergency Management leaders have designated the George H. Henderson Expo Center in Lufkin, Texas as an animal shelter when needed.
County Judge Keith Wright is the presiding officer of the Angelina County Commissioners Court. Judge Wright says during his time as the emergency management coordinator for the city of Lufkin, he vividly recalls the need for such plans, especially during Hurricane Rita in mid to late September of 2005, to manage all the pets and livestock.
So, county, city and emergency leaders worked closely with the Texas A&M University Animal Sciences Division, to develop the Angelina County emergency animal shelter. “Just different scenarios, what do we do? How do we handle issues with veterinarians? And housing?” As Judge Wright continued, “And provide access to owners and all those different issues that go with, you know, some type of management of multiple types and quantities of animals.”
Judge Wright says now that the plan is approved, it will be included in the overall hazard plan for all of the cities in Angelina County, Texas.
