Compact With Texans

Agency Services Customer Service Principles Feedback

The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) is committed to providing efficient and effective services to our customers. This Compact sets forth the standards that customers should expect.

Agency Services

Animal Health Management

Agency staff works directly (one-on-one) with many of the producers and through affiliated industry associations for all the various species of animals considered "livestock," such as swine, poultry, sheep and goats, equine (horse-family animals), cattle, exotic livestock, and exotic fowl (which include ostrich and emu). The TAHC has legislative authority to make and enforce regulations to prevent or control and eradicate contagious or infectious diseases such as brucellosis in cattle and swine, tuberculosis in cattle and deer, equine infectious anemia (EIA) in horses, pseudorabies in swine, and other conditions that affect sheep and goats, poultry and other livestock. The TAHC staff also works to keep pests, like fever ticks, screwworms and scabies from reoccurring as major livestock health hazards.

Emergency Management & Response

The TAHC is actively involved in planning for prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery in the event of foreign animal disease or pest incursions in the state, or any man-made or natural disasters that may affect the health or well-being of Texas' animal populations. The TAHC will provide the first response to contain and eliminate a foreign or emerging animal disease or pest intrusion. The TAHC will also assist in natural and man-made disaster responses in accordance with the State of Texas Emergency Plan as administered by the Department of Public Safety's Division of Emergency Management. Specific services that TAHC could assist in providing in emergency or disaster situations include animal ownership identification; livestock restraint/capture; carcass disposal; and coordinating on animal health, public health concerns, and chemical/biological terrorism issues.

Customer Service Principles

TAHC is committed to providing--

1. Easy access to agency services:

  • agency offices open 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday
  • phones answered by a live person, or automated routing systems that provide access to a live person
  • services available at times convenient to the customer
  • 24-hour answering service for livestock movement entry requirements and permits at 512-719-0777

2. Professional service in a timely manner:

  • courteous and responsive staff
  • accurate and understandable printed information
  • competent and trained professional staff response to emergency within 24 hours

3. On-line information:

4. prompt response to complaints:

  • expect prompt acknowledgment of receipt
  • expect timely, thorough, and accurate response

Comments, Complaints, Suggestions & Requests

Direct any comments, complaints, or cost-saving suggestions to:

TAHC, Customer Service
P.O. Box 12966, Austin, TX 78711-2966
comments@tahc.texas.gov
512-719-0704 or 1-800-550-8242 x704
512-719-0721 (fax)

Send requests for information to:

TAHC, Department of Communications
P.O. Box 12966, Austin, TX 78711-2966
pubinfodir@tahc.texas.gov
512-719-0750 or 1-800-550-8242 x750

See the contact page for additional contact information for TAHC region offices.