08/08/2025
Thought this was worth sharing. I’ve been worried about people and animals in those flood areas.
Amanda Headrick Kelley
A Message for People and Their Pets: Stay Out of the Water—It’s Not Safe Yet
Please protect your pets—and yourself—by staying out of floodwaters until it is confirmed safe. Experts estimate it will be weeks before the water is clear of contaminants.
Many search and rescue dogs deployed during the flood have experienced gastrointestinal distress from drinking or being exposed to contaminated water. Even fast-moving floodwaters can contain serious health hazards, including:
Human waste from broken or overflowing sewer systems
Automotive fluids like oil and fuel
Household cleaners and chemicals
Harmful bacteria, viruses, molds, parasites, and Giardia (which can transmit to humans)
Debris that feeds toxic organisms like blue-green algae, which poses serious health risks
First responders enter these waters with full protective gear—your pets don’t have that protection.
Please be mindful of the risks and avoid exposing your pets to floodwaters. Their health and safety depend on you.
This important information was provided to KPA! by Dr. Debra L. Zoran, DVM, PhD, DACVIM-SAIM, Professor and Director, Texas A&M VET FEMA IST, and Veterinarian for Texas A&M Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue. Dr. Zoran and her team were deployed to protect and care for the search and rescue dogs during the flood response.
