ANIMAL SUPPLY POINTS SEEKING LIVESTOCK-RELATED DONATIONS

ANIMAL SUPPLY POINTS SEEKING LIVESTOCK-RELATED DONATIONS The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has established Animal Supply Points for livestock and other animals in areas affected by Hurricane Harvey and has set up a phone bank to take calls from those who would like to make a donation. “These ASPs have been set up to shelter animals and for the storing and distribution of hay and feed and as a location from which to coordinate volunteer assistance,” said Dr. Andy Vestal, AgriLife Extension emergency management specialist, College Station. Vestal said AgriLife Extension, Prairie View A&M Cooperative Extension and Texas Sea Grant personnel in each affected county, along with agriculture-related agencies and industry organizations, continue to assess agricultural and coastal/marine commerce and resource damage. “We also report animal issues and request state and private sector donated resources to address unmet needs,” he said. “County AgriLife Extension agents are assisting with small and/or large animal shelters in 42 counties. In addition to animal shelters, the agency is supporting a network of Animal Supply Points.” Vestal said donations to these locations are being supported through the Animal Supply Point Phone Bank at 979-845-7800. Donors contacting the phone bank will have their items matched to the needs at locations in the supply point network in counties from the Coastal Bend to southeast Texas. Jeff Ripley, AgriLife Extension associate director – county operations, College Station, said livestock-related donations are needed and those general items being requested are: — Feed for cattle, horses, sheep, goats, swine, poultry and other livestock. — Buckets, troughs, and other equipment for livestock feeding and watering. — Hay for livestock consumption. — Livestock panels and gates for temporary holding facilities. — Shavings and bedding materials for animals. Ripley said pet food may also be needed at some of the locations. “Not all locations will need the same items, so when people call the phone bank we will try and connect them with the location needing those items they want to donate,” Ripley said. “We are only equipped to accept these donations at one of our active Animal Supply Points.” “We’re asking that items that are not livestock-related be donated to Red Cross, Salvation Army or another charity of choice,” Ripley said. “But we will gratefully accept those items needed to provide food, shelter and protection to any livestock that have been displaced.”