News
Thousands of Cattle and Horses Roaming in Texas
September 16, 2008, 4:58PM MT
By Jennifer S Hayes
Assistance needed to save animals following Hurricane Ike
Assistance needed to save animals following Hurricane Ike
An awful tragedy may become worse if immediate assistance is not provided to the estimated 20,000 cattle and horses who are now roaming in several Southeast Texas counties following Hurricane Ike. The storm surge and strong winds destroyed fencing, allowing the animals to escape their pastures and drift away.
Much of the area’s fresh water sources have been tainted with sea water from the storm surge and the animals are in desperate need of sustenance.
Assistance to save these animals is critical and multiple agencies are coordinating rescue efforts to provide much needed fresh water and feed. Contributions such as hay, feed, water troughs, portable panels, and cash are needed.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
1. If you wish to make an online monetary donation, go to Texas AgriLife Extension to give to the "No Fences Hurricane Ike Horse and Cattle Relief Fund,” which will be used to purchase necessary supplies.
2. Phone in donations to AgriLife Extension Conference Services at 979-845-2604.
3. If you can make in-kind donations of items such as hay or feed, or are able to help with transportation, call the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Hay Hotline at 877-429-1998 or 1-800-835-5832 and press zero.
For more information:
• Cattle, horses wandering post-Ike
• Feed, resources needed in Chambers, Jefferson counties to aid 20,000 displaced livestock
• Texans Are Called Upon To Assist Saving Thousands Of Livestock Stranded After Hurricane Ike
• Hurricane Recovery: Contacts for Texas Livestock Owners, Rescue Crews
Posted by Jennifer Hayes, Best Friends staff
Photo credit: FEMA /Jocelyn Augustino, from prior flood in Missouri